Russia Recruits Africans for Drone Assembly, Production Rises

Russia is intensifying efforts to increase drone production as it escalates attacks in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Russia launched nearly 3,000 Shahed drones in June.

Moscow is recruiting Africans to assemble drones, offering vocational training and good pay, according to Le Monde. Workers mainly come from Uganda, Mali, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

Ukrainian military forces are concerned about Russia's progress in drone manufacturing, particularly with the use of fiber optics. According to the Financial Times, short-range fiber optic drones are equipped with artificial intelligence tools and are difficult to intercept.

Ukrainian Army Chief General Oleksandr Syrsky acknowledged that Russia has advantages in drone warfare, particularly in number and range. Russia uses these drones to target supply convoys, logistics bases and critical infrastructure.

Maria Berlinska, head of the Air Reconnaissance Support Center in Kyiv, reported that Russia is manufacturing drones on a massive scale with the help of Russian, Iranian and Chinese engineers.