In the village of Podkolodnovka, Voronezh region, approximately one hundred people are being held in slave-like conditions on a farm. Volunteers from the "Alternative" movement, which specializes in combating modern forms of slavery, managed to rescue five of them.
According to the freed individuals, they were forced to work in the fields and greenhouses without any pay. Leaving the farm on their own was impossible—people were confined behind a fence.
As reported by "Alternative," they were only allowed to go to the store under the supervision of a supervisor named Slava, who personally purchased goods within a set limit of 3,000 rubles per month. The workers stated that their diet consisted mostly of expired products. Escape attempts were suppressed and punished, while otherwise, they were given promises of future wages and being sent home.
According to the accounts of those freed, the farm is managed by a certain Nadezhda Vasilyevna and her husband. Volunteers suggested that the couple is originally from Ukraine, as they often communicate with each other in Ukrainian. Recruitment and control over the slaves are handled by two men—Slava and Alexander.
Representatives of "Alternative" visited the farm twice. During their first visit, they went to Podkolodnovka in search of four missing relatives. Although they were not granted access to the premises, those whose names were provided were agreed to be released.