Ukraine attacks Russian drone production facility in Yelabuga

This was reported by the General Staff.

“On April 23, 2025, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other parts of the Defense Forces, carried out a fire attack on the production of attack UAVs (Geranium-2, Shahed type and others),” the statement says.

It is noted that the production capacity of the enterprise in Tatarstan is about 300 different UAVs per day: it is located at a distance of 1,054 km from the state border of Ukraine.

"We have confirmed hits and explosions in the target area. At this time, we know about the damage to the UAV final assembly shop," the General Staff added at 7:46 pm. Subsequently, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Russian facility.

According to Crimean Wind, five UAVs carrying 250 kg bombs targeted the drone manufacturing plant in Yelabuga, Tatarstan. Eyewitnesses reported air defense activity in the city during the attack.

Following the start of the drone strike, Rosaviatsiya restricted operations at the Kazan airport. Later, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down an alleged Ukrainian drone over Tatarstan.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, highlighted that over 6,000 Shaheds and Gerans, along with thousands of decoy drones, were produced at the Yelabuga plant in 2024. In 2025, Russia aims to produce between 8,000 and 10,000 Shaheds and Gerans annually, along with up to 15,000 decoy drones.

"Yelabuga in Tatarstan, where the Russians produce Shaheds/Gerans and various decoys, has ramped up production and is somewhat noisy, and in some places, somewhat successful," Kovalenko emphasized.

The city of Yelabuga is known for the special economic zone Alabuga. According to journalistic investigations, people from Central Asia and Africa are lured there to work on the production of Shahed drones. Yelabuga also hosts training centers for teenagers, where they are taught “to work with and create UAVs,” writes Texty.

• On the night of Saturday, March 8, drones attacked an oil refinery in the city of Kirishi, Leningrad region, Russia. Due to the attack, flights at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg were temporarily suspended.