Russia is relocating drone manufacturing factories underground in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan. The Ukrainian-supporting military blog "Dnipro Osint" reported, citing a satellite image, that underground workshops for the production of suicide drones are being constructed near the city of Yelabuga.
Increasing Underground Production Space
According to the report, an area of 42,000 square meters has been created for production facilities underground. This information cannot be independently verified, but it clearly indicates a shift in Russia's strategy regarding drone production. Dnipro Osint noted in one of its reports that the idea of moving production underground emerged after Ukraine's initial attacks on Alabuga, and construction speed in the area has now increased.
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Airstrikes and Increased Production
Ukraine first attacked the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in April 2024, using a lightweight guided aircraft of the "A-22 Foxbat" type in this operation. The Alabuga area, located more than 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is considered one of the most important centers of Russia's arms industry. In this area, expensive suicide drones (Geran), whose base model is based on the Iranian Shahed drone, are assembled.
According to estimates from Ukraine's military intelligence, about 2,800 units of the older "Geran-2" model were produced in August, and monthly production of newer models "Geran-4" and "Geran-5" has reached around three thousand units. Russia attacks Ukrainian cities almost every night with these drones, and the use of newer models equipped with jet engines is also on the rise.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, over 2,800 of these drones were launched in August. The speed of these drones, at 300 to 400 kilometers per hour, is about twice that of older models, creating new challenges for Ukraine's defense forces.
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