Russia builds Pantsir towers to protect Shahed drone factory, say partisans
Photo: Russia is trying to save the Shahed factory (Russian media)
After a series of strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the factory in Yelabuga, where Shahed drones are assembled, the Russians are building towers with Pantsir missile systems. However, even these makeshift fortifications do not guarantee the facility’s safety, the partisan movement Atesh reports.
In Tatarstan, near the city of Yelabuga, Russian authorities have begun constructing unusual defensive structures. On the territory next to the factory producing Shahed-136 strike drones, special towers with Pantsir missile systems are being built.
Partisans note that this is direct evidence that Ukrainian drones have already caused serious damage to the facility. The Kremlin is attempting to save the site, which is key to Russia’s terrorist campaign against Ukraine.
Moscow understands that any new attack could paralyze production and disrupt the supply of Shahed drones for the Russian army.
"But the truth is that no improvised towers or Pantsirs can save the factory from new attacks. Every day production is under threat, along with the entire logistics chain for drones that Moscow uses to terrorize the civilian population of Ukraine," Atesh stated.
Series of attacks on Yelabuga
This year alone, explosions in the Yelabuga district of Tatarstan were reported on April 23. The attack on Yelabuga happened again during the night of April 26.
On the night of May 26, unknown drones targeted Yelabuga. Residents reported active air defense activity. Prior to that, the airport in nearby Nizhnekamsk was closed.
On August 9, in the Republic of Tatarstan, at least one strike drone hit a Shahed production plant. A fire broke out at the site of impact.
So far, Russia has invested at least $3 billion in scaling up mass production of strike drones, including Shahed UAVs. More than 900 companies have already been involved in the drone industry.
Earlier, German General Christian Freuding, Head of the Ukraine Situational Center at the German Ministry of Defense, stated that Russia intends to launch up to 2,000 drones simultaneously over Ukraine.
Furthermore, Lieutenant General and former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ihor Romanenko, discussed on RBC-Ukraine's YouTube channel whether Russia can be prevented from building new Shahed drone factories in Yelabuga.
