Students at Alabuga Polytech Complain of Low Pay and Pressure
Students of the Alabuga Polytechnic College, who are being recruited to assemble combat drones, complained about low wages and pressure on the production floor. The Alabuga Polytechnic College is violating the rights of minors who are assembling drones for war against Ukraine, journalists of the European New Times reported.
Consensus
- Students at Alabuga Polytech are involved in assembling combat drones for the war with Ukraine.
- Students reported working long hours, up to 18–20 hours per day.
- Students said they had no time for studies due to work demands.
- Students reported low wages, with some receiving only 1 ruble for a month of work.
- Students and former employees described physical and mental health deterioration from overwork.
- Students were required to pay for their dormitory, reducing their take-home pay.
- The cost of living in the special economic zone was described as high, with meals and transportation being expensive.
- Students could only leave the zone by taxi, which cost at least 1,200 rubles round trip.
- The Alabuga Special Economic Zone launched a recruitment ad in spring 2026 promising 150,000 rubles for second-year students and 350,000 for third-year students.
- The Alabuga Polytech college is part of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.
- The drones being assembled are based on Iranian Shahed models.
- There were reports of bullying and a suicide linked to workplace conditions.
Points of divergence
- Students reported being forced to work 18–20 hours a day with no time for study, and one student, Denis Potapov, died. — tg_svobodnieslova
- One student received 3,000 rubles per month, half of which went to dormitory fees, and was paid 1 ruble in one month. — tg_tvrain
- A former employee stated that participation was 'voluntary but coerced,' and that only 5% received the highest bonus. — tvrain
- A company employee named Damiр claimed the goal was to develop 'super-warrior power' and that only the best students were kept. — tvrain
Coverage (3 sources)
- Students of 'Alabuga Polytechnic', who are recruited to assemble combat drones, complained about low wages and pressure on production... — Вёрстка
- Students of 'Alabuga', who are recruited to assemble drones for war with Ukraine, complained about low wages and lack of time... — Дождь (Telegram)
- Students of 'Alabuga', who are being recruited to assemble drones for war with Ukraine, complained about low wages — Дождь
Key entities
- Ukraine
- Alabuga
- Alexei
- Europe of Novaya Gazeta
- Alabuga Polytechnic
- Novaya Evropa
- Mal'tsev Ivan
- Alabuga Polytechnic College
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