- Category
- War in Ukraine
Ukraine Exposes 20 Foreign-Made Machines Behind Russia’s Geran Drone Production at Alabuga
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has identified 20 pieces of foreign-made technological equipment being used to produce various modifications of Russia’s Geran drones at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan, the agency reported.
The newly disclosed information, published on HUR’s War&Sanctions portal, covers lathes, milling and drilling machines, machining centers, industrial robots, automated component placement systems, soldering equipment, and other machinery manufactured by companies from China, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and Iran.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Among the equipment identified is a VMC 1000Q vertical milling machining center produced by China’s Shenyang Machine Tool Co, an RS-1R automated component placement machine manufactured by Japan’s JUKI, and a mechatronics production line made by Germany’s Festo that incorporates a Melfa industrial robot from Japan’s Mitsubishi.
“Processing metals and other materials, mounting SMD (surface-mount device) components onto printed circuit boards, and training personnel on specialized production lines involve different processes and equipment from different manufacturers, but they all serve one common purpose: the mass production of weapons used to terrorize civilians,” the statement read.
Following the disclosure, Ukrainian intelligence called on international manufacturers of high-tech equipment that could be used by Russia’s defense industry to strengthen controls over the final recipients and actual locations where their products are operated. HUR recommended introducing on-site inspections by authorized representatives at the declared installation addresses.
The agency also urged manufacturers to extend enhanced controls to spare parts, components, technical fluids, consumables, software, updates, and maintenance services required to keep such machinery operational.
In addition, HUR recommended conducting regular audits of distributors, dealers, and other intermediaries, particularly those supplying equipment to high-risk jurisdictions. Companies should also monitor potential re-exports or changes in end users, investigate cases in which their products are discovered within Russia’s military-industrial complex, trace the relevant supply chains, and take measures to prevent further deliveries through the intermediaries involved, the agency said.
The disclosure comes as Alabuga continues to play an expanding role in Russia’s drone production, supported not only by foreign-made industrial equipment but also reportedly by North Korean labor.
Around 25,000 North Korean nationals are believed to be working at Russian drone manufacturing facilities, including the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, as Moscow increasingly turns to North Korean workers to support its defense industry.
Discuss this article:
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-42696701342093d1cdbc4069f0f07d6c.jpeg "Photo of Mykyta Shandyba")
