Siberian teen reportedly dies by suicide after studying and working at Alabuga, where drones are assembled for Russia’s war in Ukraine

A 16-year-old boy from Novokuznetsk took his own life after working and studying at Alabuga, a special economic zone in Russia that produces drones for Ukraine's ongoing conflict, according to the news source Echo. The boy, referred to only as T., expressed interest in drones and aspired to study in Alabuga. However, his experience there proved to be quite challenging.

The Alabuga administration reportedly pressured him to adhere to a strict plan and work tirelessly, while also experiencing bullying within his group. Parents of the deceased reported that their son endured a regime of harsh military discipline and a lack of time for rest and nourishment, leading to significant emotional and physical strain.

Post his return, the teenager became increasingly withdrawn, lost his appetite, and suffered from frequent headaches. His parents also mentioned that he seemed to have been driven to suicide due to his involvement with Alabuga, a claim supported by intercepted communications with unknown individuals. A psychiatrist's report suggested that the boy was in a deep depression caused by prolonged stress and emotional instability during his time at Alabuga.

Despite these concerns, law enforcement agencies showed little interest in investigating the matter following the parents' report. The Alabuga special economic zone, located in Tatarstan, has been assembling Iranian Shahed model drones since 2023, which are subsequently utilized in attacks against Ukrainian cities.