Drones Target Area Near Shahed Drone Plant in Russia’s Tatarstan

Drones targeted the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan on Saturday, where Shahed-type drones are produced using Iranian technology.

Aircraft-type drones were spotted in the areas of Chistopol and Yelabuga.

The regional authorities declared a drone alert in the morning, and the “Carpet” protocol, which suspends air traffic, was activated at the airports of Kazan and Nizhnekamsk.

Such types of drones have been used for a long time to target Russia’s energy infrastructure.

The drones were shot down before reaching production facilities in Yelabuga, according to Russian officials. However, debris damaged several civilian vehicles in the area.

A military industry plant located in the Alabuga industrial zone was established in 2023 and has since become a key site for producing Shahed strike drones and reconnaissance UAVs.

The facility was built under an agreement reached between Russian and Iranian partners in late 2022.

The deal envisions that the plant is expected to manufacture up to 6,000 Shahed drones annually.

The drone’s design has evolved since its initial deployment in Ukraine in 2022, with the warhead reportedly increasing from 50 kg to 90 kg.

Saturday’s attempted strike is the latest in a series of drone attacks targeting the facility. Ukrainian drones first attacked the plant in April 2024 and flew towards the area in May 2025.