Russia is relocating its drone manufacturing factories underground in the Alabuga special economic zone in the Republic of Tatarstan. The pro-Ukrainian military blog "Dnipro Osint" reported, citing a satellite image, that underground workshops for manufacturing suicide drones are being constructed near the city of Yelabuga.
Increasing Underground Production Space
According to this report, an area of ٤٢,٠٠٠ square meters has been created for underground production facilities. This information cannot be independently verified, but it clearly indicates a change in Russia's strategy in drone production. Dnipro Osint noted in one of its reports that the idea of moving production underground emerged after the first Ukrainian attacks on Alabuga, and construction speed in this area has now increased.
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Air Attacks and Increased Production
Ukraine first attacked the Alabuga special economic zone in April ٢٠٢٤, using a lightweight guided aircraft of the "A-٢٢ Foxbat" type in this operation. The Alabuga area, which is over ١,٢٠٠ kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is considered one of Russia's most important arms manufacturing centers. In this area, expensive suicide drones (Geran), whose base model is based on the Iranian Shahed drone, are assembled.
According to estimates from the Ukrainian military intelligence, around ٢,٨٠٠ units of the older "Geran-٢" model were produced in August, and monthly production of newer models "Geran-٤" and "Geran-٥" has reached about 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 ٢,٨٠٠ units of these drones were launched in August. The speed of these drones, at ٣٠٠ to ٤٠٠ kilometers per hour, is about twice that of older models, creating new challenges for Ukrainian defense forces.
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