Construction of Iranian drone factory well underway in Russia – Reuters
Satellite images show progress in the building of a factory in Russia that will mass-produce Iranian kamikaze drones. Moscow is expected to target them at Ukrainian energy facilities.
Source: Reuters with reference to a report from the Institute for Science and International Security
Details: Despite construction progress, neither the US nor its allies have imposed sanctions against the plant's owner, JSC Alabuga, and its associated companies.
The report said that a satellite image taken in mid-September showed that new building work at the plant "directly" matched a leaked floor plan of the building which the Washington Post had shared with the institute previously this year.
According to other leaked documents, the building will be used to mass-produce Iran's Shahed-136, which will include improving Iran's manufacturing processes "and ultimately expanding the drone's capabilities," the report said.
The satellite image also shows the construction of other facilities and new security fences with security gates, the message says.
Quote from the report: "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."
More details: "A key overdue step" for Washington is sanctions against Alabuga and its affiliated companies, the report says.
The White House, the Russian embassy and Iran's UN mission did not immediately respond to reporters' requests for comment.
The plant is located 500 miles (800 km) east of Moscow in the Republic of Tatarstan. JSC "Alabuga" is 66% owned by the federal government and 34% by the republic.
Background:
- In April, the United States released a satellite image of the planned location of the drone factory, located in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, about 960 km east of Moscow.
- In July, US intelligence warned that once the construction of the Shahed drone factory in Russia is completed, it could have a significant impact on the war in Ukraine.
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