Revealed: Russia's New Shahed Drone Factory in Full Operation

The relentless drone war plaguing Ukraine has taken a chilling turn with the emergence of a video allegedly showcasing a massive Shahed drone production facility in Russia. These Iranian-designed, kamikaze drones, also known as Geran-2 in Russia, have become a mainstay of Moscow's aerial assault, inflicting significant damage on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. The leaked footage, grainy and short, offers a glimpse into the heart of this shadowy operation, raising concerns about a potential escalation in drone attacks and the long-term trajectory of the conflict.

A 17-second clip, shared on social media platforms, depicts a scene straight out of an industrial nightmare. Rows of Shahed drone bodies, some standard white and others a stealthy black, dominate the frame. Workers in hardhats move with practiced efficiency, fitting engines and other critical components. The sheer volume is staggering, roughly 100 Shahed drones in various stages of assembly are visible.

This video corroborates earlier suspicions about a massive construction project at Yelabuga, Russia. Satellite imagery hinted at the project's scale, and leaked floorplans fueled speculation about its purpose. Some sources claimed in August 2023 that this very site, or one of similar scale, was being prepped for Shahed drone production, with estimates exceeding 1,600 drones manufactured monthly. However, no official confirmation came from either Russia or Iran at that time.