Strike Drones Hit Shahed Kamikaze Drone Plant in Yelabuga

Strike drones attacked a plant in the city of Yelabuga, where Shahed-type kamikaze drones are being produced.

The Astra news outlet reports explosions in the city.

The first explosions were recorded at around 10:40 p.m. — they are linked to the operation of air defense systems.

Despite this, explosions of unknown origin still occurred in the area of the plant, which is located in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone.

According to videos from local residents, during the repelling of the attack, a surface-to-air missile was launched from the plant’s territory, with eyewitnesses capturing its trail.

During the attack, the airport in Nizhnekamsk was also temporarily closed.

So far, the authorities of Tatarstan have not officially reported on the consequences of the attack. It is worth noting that the plant producing Shahed kamikaze drones was built in 2023 and has already been targeted several times by the Ukrainian defense forces.

In particular, on April 23, 2025, the plant was attacked by strike drones. At the time, the authorities of Tatarstan did not officially comment on the incident and remained silent about its consequences.

The plant is located approximately 1,200 kilometers from Ukraine’s state border — a considerable distance for most strike capabilities. Nevertheless, the attack was successfully carried out.

It is worth noting that the first drone strike targeting military facilities within the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, situated near the city of Yelabuga, occurred on the morning of April 2 last year.

At the time, photos and videos shared by eyewitnesses showed a damaged two-story building bearing the name “Geron.”

It is known that this is one of the buildings of the hostel built for employees of the special economic zone and students of the Alabuga Polytech educational center in 2022.