Adau, a 23-year-old from South Sudan, joined the Alabuga Start programme in Russia, attracted by promises of job training in technical fields. Upon arrival, she discovered she was working in a drone factory, building weapons instead of the roles she expected. The programme has faced accusations of deception and unsafe working conditions, with over 1,000 women reportedly recruited under false pretenses. Despite the initial allure, many participants like Adau experienced a harsh reality far removed from their expectations.
