Russia expands massive drone factory

The Kremlin is expanding the worldÕs largest Shahed-style drone
factory Ð the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Ð amid a surge
in weapons exports to Iran for its military

Shahed-136 (Geran-2)
Iranian-made one-way
attack drone

Wingspan
2.5m

Range
2,500km

RUSSIA
Alabuga SEZ
UKRAINE
IRAN
Moscow
Tehran
ARCTIC
OCEAN
800km
500 miles

Caspian Sea: Russia reportedly
sending drone components to help
rebuild TehranÕs military capabilities
during Iran war ceasefire

ALABUGA SEZ EXPANSION

Some 340 hectares added to
site in past year

Satellite imagery shows freshly
constructed hangars across northern
sector. Production facilities and
residential quarters extended in
central complex

Separate 450-hectare site set up
south of SEZ Ð purpose unknown

Factory Ð which employs workers
as young as 15 Ð is accelerating
its output of drones, which cost
$20,000-$70,000 to produce

According to UkraineÕs military,
Russia plans to boost production
of attack drones to 1,000 per day

ALABUGA SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

Area involved or
likely involved in
drone production
in 2026

Drone factory

Extent
of site in
Nov 2025

Rail yard
Rail industrial
spur line yard
Rail yard
Heliport
Electrical
substation
Shipping
container
yard
Bulk freight
facility
1km
0.6 miles

Sources: CSIS, The Telegraph
Picture: Google Earth
© GRAPHIC NEWS