Russian recruiter sanctioned by the UK for luring women to work in Kremlin-run drone factories is linked to Telegram channels for child sex abuse

By PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:31, 19 July 2026 | Updated: 16:50, 19 July 2026 A Russian recruiter sanctioned by the UK for luring women across the world into working in Kremlin-run drone factories has been linked to Telegram channels promoting child sexual abuse, according to a Daily Mail investigation.  An account on the messaging app linked to Konstantin Trifonov, a 31-year-old senior HR executive for Alabuga Start, was found to have been a part of several sickening channels.  The Alabuga Start programme, based in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tatarstan, promises young women from impoverished nations in Asia and Africa high salaries, as well as education and career opportunities, in Russia.  But in reality, recruits are forced to assemble military drones that are then used by the Russian army to kill Ukrainian soldiers.  For his work with the programme, the British government sanctioned Trifonov in May, imposing, among other things, an asset freeze and travel ban. Six other individuals linked to the Alabuga Start were also sanctioned at the same time.  But Trifonov, the Daily Mail can today reveal, has been a member of several disturbing channels, with titles including 'School 69/Young Girls' and 'Kindergarten Cookie'.  He was first spotted in these disturbing groups in August 2020.  Worse still, a Telegram analysis tool showed that Trifonov's account was classified as having an 'enthusiastic' engagement with subjects including 'child porn' and 'porn'.  Konstantin Trifonov, a 31-year-old senior HR executive for Alabuga Start, (pictured) was found to have been a part of several sicking channels. He was seen on a trip to a school in Uganda, meeting potential recruits The Kremlin has been accused of luring countless women from across the world to Alabuga  It is understood that the account in these groups is a personal account, not one that belongs to Alabuga Start. It is not known whether others have access to this Telegram account.   Trifonov plays a key role in Alabuga Start's operation.  Publicly available photographs show Trifonov travelling to Uganda, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia as part of Alabuga Start's recruitment campaign, meeting officials, visiting schools and educational institutions, and encouraging young women to relocate to Russia. During these visits he presents the programme as an educational and professional development initiative – all while no mention is made of women working in factories or military production facilities during these promotional activities.  He also meets representatives from governments, both in Russia and overseas, to develop relationships and advance recruitment partnerships. He has met Congolese, Dominican, and Kenyan officials in Russia.  The organisation he works for has long been accused of abusing young women.  The 'Alabuga Start' programme was set up in 2023 for foreign students who want to relocate to Russia.  Its website declares that it is 'designed for ambitious girls between 18-22 years.'  It promises job opportunities, scholarships, fully funded training, Russian language courses, accommodation, paid flights to Russia, and health insurance. In some adverts, candidates were promised a salary of $700 per month – a huge sum in their home countries.  But Alabuga has been repeatedly described as an 'unsafe' working environment.  Those who join the start programme do not learn valuable skills, but end up doing a variety of menial jobs, including cleaning and working in the canteen. A Ugandan woman in Russia revealed that almost everything they were promised was false. 'The working hours are longer, and the payment is not the $700 that we were promised,' she said in a message to Ugandan publication New Vision.  Allegations are rife of recruits experiencing racism, sexual abuse, and mistreatment while working there. Former recruits have also described gruelling shifts, isolation and dangerous working conditions inside the vast Alabuga industrial complex.  Its official advertising even refers to African women as 'mulattoes' – a derogatory and racist term to denote a person of mixed black and white descent.  The Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a compound in western Russia filled with dull corporate buildings that speak to Russia's Soviet past The hostel at Alabuga Start claims to be fully equipped with furniture and household appliances Discussing his country's relations with Africa, President Vladimir Putin previously declared that 'We have never exploited African peoples, nor have we engaged in anything inhumane on the continent.' 'On the contrary,' he added smugly. 'We have always supported Africa in its struggle for independence, sovereignty and creation of basic conditions for economic development.' But The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has concluded that Alabuga Start displays multiple indicators consistent with human trafficking, citing deceptive recruitment and exploitative labour practices. They concluded that it appeared to involve what they described as 'fraudulent exploitation.'  Trapped in a closed off zone, in a foreign country, with insufficient funds to leave, it seems that some women are forced into prostitution as their nightmare deepens. The Daily Mail has previously seen screenshots of a text from a man from the city of Chelny close to Alabuga explains how he ordered a black prostitute to his apartment. She had been forced into prostitution after being fired from Alabuga, she told him. Further investigation reveals screenshots of the prostitution services offered by African women in Alabuga itself. The Mail cannot say for certain that these women are employees at the SEZ.  South Africa's government has warned young people about overseas recruitment drives linked to the programme, cautioning that traffickers frequently lure victims abroad with seemingly attractive job offers. The Daily Mail has contacted Trifonov and the UK's foreign office for comment.