Russian forces have been launching Shahed kamikaze drones from a facility in the Russian Oryol oblast, which has previously been targeted twice by Ukrainian forces.

A video published by the Russian Military Informant Telegram channel captures drones being launched from the facility, which serves as both a maintenance site and a launch platform for UAVs used against Ukraine.

The footage reveals that Russian forces are using pickup trucks to launch the drones.

The trucks accelerate to the required speed before releasing the drone from a specialized structure mounted on the vehicle’s bed.

According to geolocation analysis by X user Mark Krutov, the launches took place at coordinates 53.37280109648919, 35.80028358981446—the same facility previously hit by Ukrainian strikes.

On January 26, 2025, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that the Air Force, in coordination with other Defense Forces units, had struck drone storage facilities in Russia’s Oryol oblast.

The strike reportedly targeted concrete structures used for storing and servicing UAVs.

At that time, concrete buildings were hit, which were probably used to store and service drones.

Satellite images and analysis by the cyber-intelligence group KiberBoroshno confirmed damage to the facility, showing dark craters on one of the buildings.

According to Ukrainian General Staff, the site stored thermobaric warheads used to equip drones.

On December 26, 2024, Ukraine used Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles to strike the Shahed drone maintenance center in the Oryol oblast.

Read more: Storm Shadow Strikes Shahed Kamikaze Drone Maintenance Facility

The site includes storage warehouses and reinforced concrete structures used for maintenance and repairs.

Satellite imagery indicates that construction of the facility began in late August 2024 and was completed within a few months.