Russian state media has released rare footage from a secretive drone factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, where Russia is mass-producing Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones. These drones are rebranded in Russia as the Geran-2 and have been widely used in the conflict with Ukraine.
The video, produced by Russia’s Defense Ministry, offers an unusual look inside one of Russia’s main unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assembly facilities. The plant is a major supplier of the so-called “suicide drones” that Russia has deployed in large numbers against Ukraine since the start of the war.
According to reports, tens of thousands of these drones have been launched at Ukrainian cities, often in nighttime operations. The new footage shows the drones being painted matte black to reduce visibility during night missions, making them harder for Ukrainian air defense systems to detect.
The Yelabuga factory, located about 1,700 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, includes multiple assembly lines and reportedly holds hundreds of drones ready for deployment.
One controversial detail is the involvement of teenage students from the nearby Alabuga Polytechnic College in some aspects of drone production. The factory allows students to work there to gain technical skills, but the use of youth labor has drawn criticism from Western commentators.
The Geran-2 drones have the following specifications:
- Length: 3.5 meters
- Wingspan: 2.5 meters
- Weight: 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 during descent)
- Maximum Altitude: 4,000 meters
- Loiter Time: 10–12 hours
The plant began operations in 2023 after Russia started importing Shahed-136 drones from Iran. Since then, Russia has focused on domestic large-scale production.
Due to its critical role in the war effort, the Yelabuga facility could become a target for Ukrainian drone strikes. However, its location far from the front lines may make this difficult.
