Update: Drones of Alabuga

In August 2023, following a significant announcement from the White House, World News Monitors published a detailed research piece on a drone production facility located in the Alabuga special economic zone in Russia. This facility garnered significant attention due to its strategic importance and the implications of its operational capabilities. WNM conducted an in-depth examination of all accessible media materials with the objective of conceptualizing the layout and gaining insight into the facility purportedly involved in manufacturing Iranian drones in Russia.

WNM utilized commercial posts and TikTok videos to investigate the interior of the identified building. The findings revealed that only two rooms were featured in all the materials. The first is a spacious hallway utilized by students of Alabuga Polytechnic, the academic institution supplying the drone factory with personnel. The hallway includes functional workspaces equipped with computers, alongside a few designated areas for conducting lectures (marked as circles on the scheme). The second is the designated “showroom” of the Albatross Drones company, the sole room showcased to the media, designed to exhibit all the stages of their flagship drone manufacturing process in one space.

Approximately one month after this initial report, the layouts of the facility were made available to the public by the Institute for Science and International Security. This release enabled a more in-depth comparison between the presumed official layouts of the facility and the schematic representation that WNM had earlier derived from various open sources. The comparison revealed noteworthy similarities and differences in the facility’s structural developments. These findings were further substantiated by an array of photographic and video evidence, enhancing the credibility of the analysis.

However, it is important to note that these visual materials did not confirm the presence of Iranian technologies at the facility. Despite this, WNM conducted a thorough investigation into Albatros, the company believed to be behind the manufacturing of these drones. WNM meticulously examined the production lines at the Albatros facility, gaining valuable insights into the technological capabilities being showcased. This internal examination provided a unique perspective on the operational aspects of the facility, particularly the elements being presented to officials and inspectors who reviewed the site.

Adding to the initial report, it was observed that the showroom of the facility is located within a pink building. This particular detail adds a distinctive aspect to the facility’s layout, making it easier to identify and analyze. Intriguingly, the remainder of the space within the complex appears to be occupied primarily by the factory itself, which is a crucial point for understanding the overall functionality and distribution of the facility.
The noteworthy discovery, however, was an unidentified drone discernible in the background of the showroom. This aircraft does not align with any known productions of Albatros or the Iranian drones under question. This anomaly prompts an intriguing research question, necessitating further investigation.

A vehicle noticeable in the background in comparison to the Albatros catalogue.