Teen from Novokuznetsk reportedly dies by suicide after working and studying at Alabuga
A 16-year-old from the Siberian city of Novokuznetsk has died by suicide after four months of work and study at the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, the outlet Echo reports. Drones used in Russia's war against Ukraine are assembled there.
A 16-year-old from Novokuznetsk, a city in Russian Siberia, has died by suicide after spending four months working and studying at the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, according to the outlet Echo. Since 2023, Alabuga has been assembling drones based on Iranian Shahed models, which are used to attack Ukrainian cities. Echo says it has obtained an appeal from the teenager's parents (it does not say to whom it was addressed) and a death certificate.
What the source says
A source told Echo that the boy, identified only as T. without his full name, was interested in drones and had wanted to study at Alabuga. According to the source, Alabuga's administration "pressed very hard, demanded that he fulfill the plan, and forced him to work." He also reportedly faced bullying in his group, where there was hazing and older students beat younger ones.
In their appeal, the parents wrote that their son lived under "a regime of harsh military discipline" with too little time for sleep and food, under constant emotional and physical strain. After he came home, they said, he became withdrawn, stopped smiling and enjoying things, complained of constant headaches, lost his appetite and slept poorly.
The parents also suggest the suicide may have been connected with his involvement with Alabuga, which they say is confirmed by his intercepted correspondence with unknown persons. They gave no further details about it. They also cite the conclusions of a psychiatrist, who found the teenager was in a deep depression caused by prolonged stress at Alabuga amid the emotional instability of a child's psyche.
Law enforcement
The source said the parents contacted law enforcement agencies after the death, but these "send back form responses" and have shown no interest in investigating.
Background
The Alabuga zone also includes the Alabuga Polytech college, which draws students into drone assembly. The account is based on Echo's report and has not been independently verified.
