Reports from Russian media indicate that the Kremlin has ramped up mass production of the Geran‑2 kamikaze drones at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. Assembly is being performed on an industrial scale—even involving local school students, including 16‑year‑old girls.
Just yesterday (July 20, 2025), we cited Ukrainian Pravda, which quoted a German general saying Russia might launch up to 2,000 drones at once. That overwhelming wave is expected to strain Ukraine’s air defenses and inflict significant damage. This surge is possible because Russia is now cranking out cheap combat drones at a staggering rate—around 6,000 units per month, or more than 170 per day. These Geran‑2 drones are local equivalents of Iran’s Shahed‑136, repurposed by Putin’s forces against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.
Experts point out that without these mass-produced drones, Russia’s current invasion efforts would be seriously hampered. Furthermore, producing the Geran‑2 domestically has allowed Moscow to customize the model to its military needs—you may have even seen footage of them being launched from moving pickup trucks. It’s grim news for Kyiv, which must continually search for new—and cheaper—ways to counter this threat, rather than relying on expensive Western missile defenses.
Mass Production in a Special Zone
Now we can actually see how these kamikaze drones are being built: the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, originally developed for civilian industry, now hosts large-scale Geran‑2 assembly lines. Inside photos show dozens of completed drones filling expansive factory halls, attesting to the rapid pace. Satellite imagery also reveals that over the last two years, production at this site has skyrocketed—significantly shifting from civilian to military use after 2022, following Russia’s import of Iranian Shahed drones.
According to Defense Express, citing Russian outlets, even local schoolchildren, including 16‑year‑old girls from Alabuga Polytech educational center, are participating in drone assembly. A special program trains youth in aerial navigation and drone programming for up to four years, providing free housing and meals within the production zone, allowing the Kremlin to swiftly scale up a drone-warfare workforce.
Not Just Teenagers—Also Immigrants
The Alabuga facility has raised flags among intelligence agencies for its strict security regime. Some reports describe it as a semi-militarized enclave, designed to protect key defense projects from external tampering—and as a workplace for immigrants.
Remarkably, in 2022 Alabuga Polytech also accepted Nigerian students, offering 150 scholarship spots. According to the Nigerian embassy, the school offered bachelor’s degrees in industrial robotics, automation, electrical installations, chemical lab analysis, IT systems and programming, and radio-electronic equipment maintenance.
Admitted students received free housing, a monthly stipend of 20,000 rubles, transport allowance, and a job guarantee after graduation. Admission requirements included an interview, basic analytical and communication skills, plus knowledge of at least 100 Russian words.
