Reports indicate that several large production buildings have been constructed in the southern part of the Alabuga economic zone. The total underground area designated for future production capacities reaches approximately 42,000 square meters.
According to Dnipro Osint, the decision to move production underground likely began after initial Ukrainian strikes on Alabuga, as Russian forces also aim to decentralize their production infrastructure and enhance its protection.
The construction of these underground facilities was also highlighted by the Z-publication “Военный Осведомитель”, emphasizing that such infrastructure will complicate targeting by Ukrainian drones and cruise missiles.
Dnipro Osint shares the viewpoint that attacks on Alabuga are now less advantageous due to the new circumstances. They suggest that a more realistic approach is to target the broader production chain, as powder plants produce warheads, chemical factories manufacture key components, and “ВНИИР-Прогресс” manufactures antennas that enable Shahed drones to operate largely without interference from Ukrainian electronic warfare. However, they acknowledge that Alabuga conducts nearly all production on-site and express doubt about the capability to destroy such a large-scale facility with current resources.
Context
- The Alabuga economic zone, located near Yelabuga in Tatarstan, has previously been subjected to drone attacks. In July 2025, a report by the propaganda television channel “Звезда” showcased the production of Shahed-type drones at a factory in Alabuga. CNN reported last July that Russia is rapidly expanding this production.
