Construction progresses at Russian plant for Iranian drones
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Ukrainian servicemen moving past a burning car hit by a kamikaze drone outside Avdiivka, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine in Donetsk region.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - Satellite imagery shows progress in the construction of a plant in Russia that will produce Iranian-designed kamikaze drones
Despite the headway, neither the United States nor its allies have imposed sanctions on the plant’s owner, JSC Alabuga, or its associated companies, said the Institute for Science and International Security in a report.
The White House, the Russian Embassy and Iran’s United Nations mission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The report said a mid-September satellite image showed that new construction at the plant “directly” correlated with a leaked building floor plan that the Washington Post shared with the institute earlier in 2023.
The building, according to other leaked documents, will be used for mass production of Iran’s Shahed-136 that will include improving Iranian fabrication processes “and ultimately advancing the drone’s capabilities”, the report said.
The satellite image also showed construction of other structures and new security perimeters with checkpoints, the report said.
“With winter fast approaching... Russia can be expected to accelerate its Shahed-136 attacks against Ukraine’s vital energy infrastructure, causing brutal living conditions for the civilian population,” the report said.
“A key overdue step” is for Washington to sanction Alabuga and its associated companies, the report continued.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday warned his country to prepare for Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Last winter – about 10 months into its invasion – Russia unleashed waves of such attacks, leading to rolling blackouts.
The plant is located 800km east of Moscow, in the Republic of Tatarstan. Alabuga is 66 per cent owned by the federal government and 34 per cent by the republic, the report said.
The White House in June said Russia and Iran appeared to be deepening their defence cooperation, and that in addition to supplying drones, Teheran was working with Moscow to produce Iranian drones in Alabuga. REUTERS
