Russian Drone Manufacturer Alabuga Polytech Launches Recruitment for Elite Unmanned Systems Brigade

Alabuga Polytech is recruiting young Russians for a new drone brigade, offering high pay and conscription exemptions to operate Geran attack drones.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 26, 2026, 9:22 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FDD's Long War Journal

The Strategic Expansion of Russian Drone Labor

Alabuga Polytech, a vocational training institution serving Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, has transitioned from supplying factory labor to actively recruiting military personnel for drone warfare. The facility, which was established in 2023 with technical assistance from Iran, serves as a primary hub for the production of Geran-2 attack drones and multifunctional Gerbera systems. By mid-2025, Ukrainian intelligence estimates indicated that the plant was manufacturing approximately 2,700 Geran units monthly. This new recruitment phase marks an evolution in the factory's role, moving beyond manufacturing into the direct cultivation of combat operators.

Incentivizing Service Through Financial and Legal Loopholes

The recruitment campaign specifically targets men between the ages of 18 and 30 by offering a lucrative alternative to Russia’s standard one year of mandatory military service. Advertisements positioned on Telegram and aimed at the gaming community portray the "military department" at Polytech as a way to fulfill national obligations without the risks of infantry deployment. Under Russian law, completing military training at a civilian institution provides an exemption from traditional conscription. Consequently, Polytech is marketing a loophole where recruits can earn salaries significantly higher than the national average while theoretically remaining stationed at rear command centers.

The Formation of the Varyag Unmanned Systems Brigade

Recruits from this program are slated to join the 50th Varyag Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade of the Supreme High Command, a unit officially established in February. According to official websites and internal communications, the Varyag Brigade is an expansion of the former GROM Kaskad drone unit and is designed to manage a diverse arsenal of uncrewed technology. This includes long range one way attack drones, reconnaissance systems, interceptor aircraft, and potentially maritime or ground based robotic vehicles. Engineers recruited for the brigade are reportedly assigned to facilities in the Oryol Oblast to support launch operations.