Russia significantly expanding its Shahed drone factory in Alabuga - CNN

The Alabuga factory in Tatarstan in southern russia, where Shahed drones are manufactured, has accelerated construction of hostels and production facilities. The Kremlin is likely determined to increase production.

This is reported by the CNN portal.

According to CNN, satellite images show dozens of new buildings. David Albright, a former UN weapons inspector who heads the American think tank the Institute for Science and International Security, believes that the russian government is committed to long-term contracts, which means that they are ready to "buy everything that is produced" at the factory.

CNN adds that Alabuga began producing Shahed drones in 2023, and is now also producing cheaper versions intended for use as decoys (in particular, known as Gerbera).

Satellite images show at least eight new warehouses in Alabuga from late 2024 to mid-July 2025. Experts have also found a significant expansion of housing for workers at the site.

There are also signs that construction has accelerated in recent weeks, the journalists say. More than half of the residential buildings under construction in images from July 12 were not there on June 9.