Kathrine Frich
The scenes have sparked criticism over the use of underage labor in military production.
The scenes have sparked criticism over the use of underage labor in military production.
Russian Drone Factory Employs Teenagers
New footage from a drone production facility in Yelabuga, Russia, reveals dozens of teenagers working on the assembly lines of Geran-2 drones.
That is Russia’s version of the Iranian-made Shahed.
The factory is reportedly helping Moscow scale up its production to fulfill President Vladimir Putin’s goal of launching thousands of drones per night against Ukraine.
Students Recruited Straight from Technical Colleges
The video, aired by Russia’s Defense Ministry network, shows students as young as 15 working inside the facility.
Many of them are recruited directly after completing ninth grade and come from nearby technical colleges.
The narrator notes, “Everywhere you look, you see young people at work.”
Assembly Lines Filled with Teenagers
Footage shows teens assembling drone parts and operating computers in the factory’s main production area.
Uniformed and focused, they appear integrated into full-time roles typically held by adult defense workers.
The scenes have sparked criticism abroad over the use of underage labor in military production.
A Banner Links Them to Soviet-Era Icons
Inside the facility, one striking image shows a banner reading: “Kurchatov, Korolyov and Stalin live in your DNA.”
The reference invokes iconic Soviet figures: Igor Kurchatov, father of the USSR’s atomic bomb, and Serhiy Korolyov, the mastermind of its Cold War space program.
Factory Aims for 18,000 Drones in Six Months
According to Euronews, the Yelabuga factory is expected to produce up to 18,000 drones in the first half of 2025 alone.
Output is ramping up as Russia intensifies its long-range drone campaign against Ukraine, particularly in nighttime raids.
Geran-2 Drones Key to Nighttime Assault Strategy
The Geran-2, a rebranded Shahed drone, has become central to Russia’s bombing strategy.
With black-painted airframes tailored for low-visibility missions, these drones are designed to evade detection and strike Ukrainian cities under the cover of darkness.
