Russia is building underground facilities for the production of Shahids in Alabuga
In the Russian “Alabuga” Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, underground production facilities are being built that could be used to manufacture attack drones. According to the OSINT project Dnipro Osint, satellite imagery indicates the creation of approximately 42,000 square meters of underground space.
Dnipro Osint estimates that the idea of moving production underground may have arisen after the first Ukrainian strikes on “Alabuga.” At the same time, the exact purpose of the new underground facilities has not been officially confirmed.
At “Alabuga,” Russia has launched large-scale production of Shahed-type drones, which are used to strike targets in Ukraine. In recent months, the economic zone has also been actively expanding: satellite imagery shows the construction of new production buildings and warehouse facilities.
According to Dnipro Osint, the Russian side is simultaneously dispersing and further fortifying its production infrastructure. In particular, protective structures are appearing around the main sites. The U.S. Institute for Science and International Security previously suggested that such structures may be intended to protect the complex from drone and cruise missile attacks.
Ukrainian drones carried out the first confirmed strike on “Alabuga” in April 2024. At that time, a drone struck a dormitory at the “Alabuga Polytech” college, injuring 13 people.
Thus, the construction of underground facilities is part of a broader expansion and protection of Russia’s manufacturing infrastructure in Alabuga. At the same time, claims regarding the specific purpose of all new underground facilities currently remain assessments by OSINT analysts.
Source: Dnipro OSINT
As a reminder, on the night of September 19, Russian terrorist forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine, deploying two “Zircon” anti-ship missiles, 174 strike drones, and “Banderole” drones. Air defense forces destroyed most of the enemy targets.
On the night of Saturday, September 19, the Russian terrorist army struck Pavlohrad. A fire has been reported.
On the evening of Friday, September 18, Russian terrorists struck Sumy with guided aerial bombs. One of the bombs hit a high-rise residential building in the city, killing two people.
