Posted on 07/21/2025 3:50:20 AM PDT by texas booster
On July 20, Russian state media aired new footage of a large-scale drone production facility in Yelabuga, Tatarstan, which manufactures Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones under the Russian designation “Geran-2.”
The video, released by the Ministry of Defense’s “Zvezda” TV channel offers a rare inside look at one of Russia’s key drone assembly centers used to supply its ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
According to Timur Shagivaleev, CEO of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, the facility is the largest drone factory in the world. Located approximately 1,700 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, the site reportedly houses dozens of assembly lines and hundreds of drones prepared for deployment.
The footage shows rows of drones being painted in matte black, a tactic allegedly intended to reduce visibility during night-time operations and hinder interception by Ukrainian mobile air defense units. Russian forces have increasingly used these drones in nocturnal attacks, leveraging their reduced reflectivity under searchlights.
(Excerpt) Read more at united24media.com ...
The institution offers specialized training in UAV manufacturing for students starting as early as the ninth grade. After graduation, students are reportedly offered employment directly at the plant.
Reports from Russian media cite testimonies that students work long shifts—sometimes without breaks—and are paid between 30,000 and 40,000 rubles per month (approximately $335–$445).
Their contracts prohibit the disclosure of any information related to drone production, with violations punishable by fines ranging from 1.5 to 2 million rubles ($16,800–$22,400).
Additional reports suggest that students are monitored through surveillance and face expulsion—and substantial reimbursement penalties for their parents—if they refuse to participate. In such cases, families may be required to repay 170,000 to 420,000 rubles ($1,900–$4,700) in educational costs.
Looks like a great target
I’m trying to recall if that location with the factory has been mentioned as a previous Ukrainian drone target within Russia? Seems a very legit target to hit with more advanced missiles being provided to the Ukes.
Did you say secret??
Students are drafted into service because there are no men.
The men are dead
.
“One notable element of the report is the use of underage labor. According to the broadcast, the production line includes teenage students recruited from the nearby Alabuga Polytechnic College, which operates within the same industrial zone.”
I worked when I was a ‘teenager’, FULL TIME too.
“Students are drafted into service because there are no men.”
Link please. I’ve seen recent videos showing PLENTY OF MEN in Russia.
Bomb it !!!
So secret that nobody noticed
the guy with the camera 🤳📸
taking all of these pictures
Shhhh...you noticing the things that are not for noticing.
😀😃😄🤣🤣😝😜
Not much of a secret.
LOL, propaganda comes out of everywhere.
yep LOL
Wrong.
Unlike the West, there is no shortage of patriotic Russian students willing to help defend their homeland.
Better than hitting civilian targets like russia
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