Russia strengthens air defenses around key drone factories, satellite images show
Russia uses air defenses to protect drone production in Alabuga (photo: Getty Images)
Russia has turned the Alabuga drone production economic zone into one of the most heavily protected facilities in the country. There are now 33 air defense positions around it, Radio Svoboda reports.
Russia protects Alabuga
The number of air defense positions around the Alabuga special economic zone has reached 33.
This is shown by a satellite image taken on October 21.
Since spring 2026, the following have been built around Russia's main production site for Geran/Shahed attack drones:
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Several concrete towers for air defense systems,
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New platforms for Pantsir or Tor air defense systems.
In addition, according to the outlet, the Alabuga site has:
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Towers for heavy anti-aircraft machine guns,
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Structures for installing anti-drone nets over production buildings.
Alabuga special economic zone
The Alabuga special economic zone remains one of the most heavily protected facilities in Russia against drone strikes. It is comparable only to Putin's residence in Valdai (31 towers and 2 positions for S-300/400 air defense missile systems).
For example, more than 100 new positions for air defense systems have been built in Moscow and the Moscow region since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.
Russia is preparing to sharply increase production of carbon fiber for kamikaze drones, a key material used in their airframes.
The expansion of the Alabuga-Volokno plant in Tatarstan will allow Moscow to produce an additional 500 tons of military-grade carbon fiber annually by 2029.
In addition, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) released information about 20 pieces of foreign technological equipment that Russia uses to manufacture Geran attack drones in the Alabuga special economic zone.
