Russian embassy defends Alabuga programme

THE Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe has defended the Alabuga Start Programme, which was reportedly flagged as a “deceptive” work-study initiative, recruiting young women from Zimbabwe and Africa.

The programme was recently flagged as an alleged front for recruiting young women between the ages of 18 and 22 years primarily from Africa, to manufacture Iran-designed Shahed drones deployed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

In a statement, the embassy praised the work-study programme, saying it was one of the “shining projects” running under the Russia-Africa co-operation initiative.

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