Since the beginning of 2025, russia has significantly increased the frequency of long-range kamikaze and decoy drone attacks. In particular, in January 2025, russians launched more than 2,500 drones of all types for strikes on Ukrainian territory, then more than 3,500 in February, and over 4,000 in March.
The main reason why russians were able to increase the intensity of their drone attacks is the expansion of their production capacity for Shahed-136/Geran-2 drones. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) explores the topic in a new publication on The Military Balance Blog.
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The authors note that russians are now producing Shahed drones not only in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, but also at the facilities of the JSC Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant (IEMZ Kupol), which is part of the Almaz-Antey Corporation. At the same time, Alabuga is in the process of expanding its facilities to increase output as well.
The following details are currently available for the Alabuga zone. At the beginning of 2023, the facility covered 80,000 square meters, but by April 2025, its area had doubled, with five new buildings constructed, three of which were covered with nets for counter-UAV protection.
In addition to the existing buildings, four more production facilities are under construction in Alabuga, and some 30 kilometers from there, the russian-Chinese Deng Xiaoping Logistics Complex was deployed. A freight train from China is expected to arrive at the Deng Xiaoping once a week, delivering components for the production of long-range drones.
It is also worth noting that in the Alabuga zone, russia has strengthened perimeter security, and all vehicles now require an electronic pass to enter.
As for the IEMZ Kupol plant in Izhevsk, Reuters first wrote about the possible production of Shahed drones at this facility in September 2024.
These reports can now be confirmed by satellite imagery, IISS notes. As of the end of December 2024, these images had revealed two significant developments: an increase in parked cars and organized perimeter security. These details may indicate the gradual expansion of industrial capacities for manufacturing long-range kamikaze drones used in strikes on Ukraine.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that russia would open a Tu-95MS pilot school, despite no longer producing the aircraft.
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