Cyan Boujee Reveals Red Flags in Russian Alabuga Start Programme Amid Human Trafficking Allegations
Cyan Boujee has revealed red flags in the Russian Alabuga Start programme that she promoted on her social media accounts, admitting she had concerns about the treatment of young women as early as July. The influencer, whose real name is Honour Zuma, shared these details amid growing backlash and allegations that the scheme is linked to human trafficking and forced labour in drone factories supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Cyan Boujee’s Concerns and Apology
In a video posted on social media on Monday, 1 September 2025, Cyan Boujee opened up about her experience promoting the Alabuga Start programme, admitting she spotted issues during her trip to Tatarstan, Russia, in July. She shared a voice note she sent to a public relations manager on 27 July, where she raised alarms about the young women’s unhappiness and the unprofessional conduct of those running the project. “I am worried about the kids. When I interviewed them yesterday, most of them were not happy, especially with the answers they had to give on camera,” she said in the voice note. “For example, one lady was asked about accommodation, and she cried. I was in disbelief. We had to wait for so long for that girl to calm down so that she can lie and say everything is good.”
Boujee explained that she felt pressured but decided to proceed with the promotion, later regretting it. “I said to myself, ‘let me just act like a villain’. Am I regretting it… Of course. I will never sell any woman intentionally. I’m going to say some dodgy stuff I figured from this programme,” she said. She also criticised the organisers for forcing scripted responses from the participants, adding, “I was specific in saying that if they wanted to work with influencers, something is going to expose this brand, and I didn’t know that God was going to use me. I said they have to be legit because this is bulls***.” Following the backlash, Boujee deleted her promotional posts and issued a public apology, stating, “Human trafficking is a very, very, very serious matter and I do not stand with that. This is a huge learning curve for me and other influencers.” She clarified that she had not been paid yet, as she had four more videos to post, and emphasised that the promotion was not driven by money.
Boujee’s revelations come after her TikTok account was banned due to mass reporting by the public, who accused her of endorsing a scheme that endangers young women. She was one of several influencers flown to Russia for a three-day visit to create content, reportedly earning between R50,000 and R150,000 or $4,000 to $12,000 for their endorsements.
Podcast Tell-All and Differing Views from Other Influencers
On Monday, 1 September 2025, Boujee, along with influencers Zillewizzy (Khathutshelo Netshitomboni), Seemah (Sima Mangolwane), Munaka Muthambi, and agency representative Siya Mhlungu from one of the facilitating agencies, appeared on a special two-hour episode of MacG’s Podcast and Chill. They addressed the controversy, with Mhlungu asserting that both the Russian Embassy and the South African government have found no evidence of human trafficking. “They all said they saw no evidence of any human trafficking, while Mhlungu expressed that the Russian Embassy and the South African Government had both expressed there was no evidence of human trafficking.”
Mhlungu suggested the backlash was being used to settle personal scores against the influencers, questioning why official government responses were ignored and who the alleged victims were. In contrast to Boujee’s concerns, Zille, Seemah, and Munaka described their experiences in Russia as safe and professional. They claimed the women they met were well-treated, living in suitable housing, and learning skills like the Russian language, though some mentioned complaints about long working hours. Seemah later issued a separate apology, admitting, “I apologize for being ignorant and putting young people’s lives in danger.” Siyamthanda Anita, known as Peachy Sprinkles, also apologised on TikTok for her negligence, noting red flags during her vlog and removing her content.
Other influencers involved, such as Ghost Hlubi (Khanya Hlubi) and Couple Bontle and Hlogi, have faced similar criticism. Some, like Seemah and Boujee, had their accounts banned on platforms like TikTok following public reports.
The True Nature of the Alabuga Start Programme
The Alabuga Start programme, based in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, Russia, was promoted as a two-year work-study opportunity for young women aged 18 to 22, offering jobs in fields like hospitality, high salaries, free flights, accommodation, and Russian language classes. However, investigations have revealed it as a deceptive recruitment scheme luring women from Africa and other developing regions into forced labour at factories assembling Iranian-designed Shahed drones used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
A May 2025 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime described it as “an exploitative use of juvenile and migrant labour to support the Russian war economy,” highlighting a stark contrast between glossy marketing promises and harsh realities. Women, often from countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, arrive expecting education and career growth but face 12- to 14-hour shifts, constant surveillance, passport confiscation, lower-than-promised wages, isolation, and health risks from caustic chemicals causing skin injuries. Some factories have even been targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks, adding to the dangers. The report noted that around 200 African women have been recruited, with some as young as 15 working alongside Russian vocational students.
An October 2024 Associated Press investigation first exposed the deception, showing how recruits are misled about the work’s nature until arrival. Bloomberg reports confirmed ties to military production, with the programme filling labour shortages due to Russia’s mobilisation for the war. Recruitment occurs via social media ads on TikTok, Facebook, and Telegram, often using influencers to target vulnerable young women in high-unemployment areas.
Government Warnings and Investigations
South African authorities have expressed grave concern and launched investigations. The Ministry for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities urged vigilance, stating, “Although we recognise that South Africa faces unacceptably high youth unemployment, especially among young women, this harsh reality must never be exploited through false job offers.” Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel warned, “Never rely solely on social media promotions or unsolicited social media advertisements, always cross-check and verify job opportunities through official channels,” noting links to labour exploitation and human trafficking.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Clayson Monyela cautioned against such offers, describing slave-like conditions where passports are seized and contact with family is restricted under surveillance. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed probes into claims of women being lured for drone production. CrimeWatch_RSA noted that the programme is under Interpol investigation, urging verification beyond social media.
Russian Embassy and Denials
The Russian Embassy in South Africa denied any links to trafficking, stating, “Many of the commentators were quick to accuse Russia of human trafficking and exploitation based on unfounded allegations. It needs to be stressed that the Embassy has no information, apart from that spread through some biased outlets, of foreign nationals being subjected to forced labour, tricked into some actions, or otherwise experiencing violation of their rights in the course of the programme.” They referred to official websites for participant feedback and dismissed claims as from biased media.
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