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Report: Child labor used to build Russian drones

Russia has become increasingly reliant on drones in its attacks on Ukrainian cities. Mass production of the Iranian-designed weapons began a year ago in Tatarstan, in central Russia. Independent Russian reporters say that children are involved in drone production and development.

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A Russian drone factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, is reportedly producing up to 50,000 Geran-2 drones — copies of Iran's Shahed model — per shift, according to state-run Svezda TV.

Independent journalists say trade school students are forced to work on the production line. Children are also recruited through science camps and competitions to develop and teach drone technology, raising concerns over child labor in military manufacturing.