Russia's Secret Drone Factory Exposed: A Rare Look Inside

Russia's secret Shahed drone factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan has been revealed through state media footage. The facility, which produces Geran-2 drones, is the largest long-range drone assembly plant in the world and employs teenage labor from a nearby college. The drones have been deployed in tens of thousands across Ukraine and have been used in nighttime operations, with some painted matte black to reduce visibility. The facility's specifications include a range of up to 1,800 kilometers and a warhead of up to 50 kilograms.

Russia has revealed a significant drone production facility in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, which manufactures Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones under the Russian designation "Geran-2." The footage, aired by Russian state media on July 20, offers a rare look into one of Russia's key drone assembly centers used to supply its ongoing attacks on Ukraine.

The Yelabuga facility, described as the largest drone factory in the world, is approximately 1,700 kilometers from Ukraine's border. It reportedly houses dozens of assembly lines and hundreds of drones prepared for deployment. The facility is equipped with specialized training for students from the nearby Alabuga Polytechnic College, which operates within the same industrial zone. Students are reportedly offered employment directly at the plant after graduation.

The footage shows drones being painted in matte black, a tactic intended to reduce visibility during night-time operations and hinder interception by Ukrainian mobile air defense units. Russian forces have increasingly used these drones in nocturnal attacks, leveraging their reduced reflectivity under searchlights.

Technical specifications for the Geran-2 include:
- Length: 3.5 meters
- Wingspan: 2.5 meters
- Weight: approximately 200 kilograms
- Warhead: up to 50 kilograms
- Engine: 50 horsepower two-stroke gasoline
- Range: up to 1,800 kilometers
- Cruising speed: 180–200 km/h (up to 300 km/h in descent)
- Maximum altitude: 4,000 meters
- Loiter time: 10–12 hours

The drones use CRPA satellite navigation and inertial systems, offering some resistance to electronic warfare. However, the aircraft is notably loud due to its unmuffled engine, which often reveals its position during flight.

The Alabuga facility became operational in 2023 and was specifically constructed for the mass production of the Geran-2. Since acquiring the Shahed-136 drones from Iran, Russia has rebranded and integrated them into its long-range strike arsenal.

Russia's open demonstration of the facility marks a significant moment in its messaging strategy, showcasing both the scale of its drone production and its integration of education and labor systems into the military-industrial complex.

Earlier, Ukraine reported the downing of Russia’s 30,000th Shahed drone, marked with serial number “Ы30000” and linked to the Alabuga plant in Tatarstan. The milestone highlighted the scale of Russia’s drone production, with up to 18,000 units reportedly built at Alabuga in the first half of 2025 alone.

References:
[1] https://united24media.com/latest-news/inside-russias-secret-shahed-drone-factory-fueling-the-war-on-ukraine-10037
[2] https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-102/