Fire at Russian drone factory destroys $16M in key parts
Ukrainian military intelligence, known as GUR, reports a fire at a warehouse storing parts for Shahed drones in the Russian city of Alabuga in Tatarstan. The fire reportedly destroyed components worth $16 million, including 65 fuselages, engines, navigation systems, and thermal cameras, which could have been used to produce up to 400 Shahed-136 drones.
The Ukrainian military intelligence stated on social media, "The mysterious devastating fire was another blow to the military-industrial complex of terrorist Russia." GUR added that Russian losses are estimated at $16 million. The warehouse, located in the Russian drone factory "Alabuga," contained 65 fuselages of assault drones, engines, navigation systems, and thermal cameras to produce 400 units of Shahed-136.
Russian drone factory on fire
If the reports of the losses are confirmed, this incident could mean a significant setback for Russia. Shahed-136 drones (referred to as Geran-2 by the Russians) pose a serious threat to Ukraine, impacting both military and civilian targets. Every day, Putin's army sends a substantial number towards Ukraine. As previously reported, experts determined that in November 2024 alone, around 80 Shahed-136 drones appeared over Ukraine daily.
The Shahed-136 is an Iranian kamikaze drone classified as a loitering munition. It was developed as an affordable and effective solution for conducting attacks on ground targets. The drone measures about 11 feet in length, has a wingspan of approximately 8 feet, and weighs around 440 pounds. It is powered by an MD-550 piston engine with 50 horsepower, mounted at the rear of the fuselage, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of about 115 mph. The range of the Shahed-136 is estimated at nearly 620 miles, though some sources suggest even 1,240 miles.
The Shahed-136 carries a warhead weighing between 66 and 110 pounds. It is launched from platforms mounted on vehicles, providing substantial mobility. These unmanned aerial vehicles are equipped with technologies that disrupt their detection by air defense systems. This, combined with their small size and quiet engine operation, makes the Shahed-136 difficult to detect.
Russia acquired these drones from Iran and uses them under the name Geran-2. In August 2023, the first reports emerged indicating that Russia had begun producing Shahed-136 drones, introducing certain improvements, such as using Kometa electronic modules previously used in Russian reconnaissance drones.
