Russia: Teenagers work in drone factory – and become targeted

With a documentary about the mass production of attack drones, Russian state television gave a rare insight into Russia’s armaments industry. At the factory near Jelabuga in the Russian sub -Republic of Tatarstan, it is the “world’s largest factory for the production of unmanned fighter planes – and the most secret,” said factory director Timur Schagiwalejew, who is documented by the USA in which documentation broadcast on Sunday in the broadcaster “Swesda”.

Moscow had massively expanded his attacks on Ukraine in the past few weeks and used a record number of fight drones.

In order to cover the huge need, the factory in Jelabuga produces nine times as many drones as originally planned, said factory director Schagiwalejew in the film. Workers with pixelated faces can be seen in assembling the triangular black drones, including many young employees. “Hundreds of machines, thousands of workers and wherever you look, young people. Boys and girls work here and also study at a university,” says the 40-minute film.

“Swesda” explained the Alabuga factory in the Russian region of Tatarstan Lade Schüler, after completing the ninth grade (at the age of 14 to 15) at a university operated by the factory nearby in order to learn the production of drones and work after completing the university in the factory.

This workplace is not harmless. Last month, Ukraine targeted the factory complex. The Ukrainian general staff reported a “successful attack”. According to Russian information, one person was killed and 13 more injured. In the Russian public, there was talk of the fact that a “auto factory” was damaged in the attack, as reported.

“Swesda” is the broadcaster of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian Geran drones are built in the factory. This is a further developed copy of the Iranian Schahed drones that are also used on the Russian offensive in Ukraine.