Analysis, Yelabuga A Closer Look at the Yelabuga UAV FactoryKey FindingsThe Yelabuga drone factory has been identified in open-source reports as a major production site for the Iranian-designed drones, Geran-1 and Geran-2, which Russia has used in the war against Ukraine. By July 2023, a total of 600 complete Shahed-136s had reportedly been delivered from Iran, and an additional 300 were assembled from airframes manufactured at the Yelabuga UAV factory. The UAV FactoryThis section examines the development of the UAV factory within the SEZ, which serves as the central component for systems integration, assembly, and delivery. This section focuses on a group of facilities east of the UAV factory that appear to support UAV production, logistics, storage, and personnel accommodation. East of the UAV factory consists of five facilities (Facilities #3, #10, #14, #16, and #17).

Source: Washington Post March 10, 2026 09:07 UTC