Russia's Secret Plan: 28,000 More Kamikaze Drones a Year

Russia is secretly expanding a factory to build tens of thousands more kamikaze drones, according to internal documents obtained by POLITICO. The plan centers on the Alabuga-Volokno factory in Tatarstan, owned by Russia's state nuclear company Rosatom. The factory makes carbon fiber—a strong, light material used to build drone bodies. Under the expansion, the factory would produce an extra 500 tons of military-grade carbon fiber every year by 2029. One expert estimates that is enough material for 28,000 additional weaponized drones annually. That would raise Russia's drone production by 78%. Ukraine estimates Russia currently builds more than 36,000 kamikaze drones, known as "Gerans," each year. These drones have struck a passenger train near the Polish border and killed many Ukrainian civilians. The documents were gathered by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, a Kyiv think tank. U.S. and Ukrainian officials confirmed the documents are real. Rosatom declined to comment. **A push to drop Chinese imports** Russia wants to make more carbon fiber at home to rely less on China. Moscow aims to build about 130,000 drones by 2030 under its national drone program, and 350,000 by 2035. Carbon fiber is essential. "Without the carbon fiber, they can't make the drone," said weapons expert David Albright. The material strengthens the wings, fuel tank, and engine, while keeping the drone light. Satellite images from May to July show land next to the factory being cleared for construction. Albright said the foundation for the new plant is already being prepared. **A threat beyond Ukraine** Experts warn the expansion threatens all of Europe, not just Ukraine. "The expansion of Alabuga and its affiliated enterprises should be viewed not merely as a problem for the Ukrainian front, but as a long-term challenge to the security of the whole of Europe," said Serhii Kuzan, head of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre. Russia has added jet engines to its Geran drones, letting them fly farther and faster. Russian drones have also violated Polish and Romanian airspace. The factory and its parent company are sanctioned by the U.S., U.K., and other Western governments. Earlier this year, the factory received a disguised shipment of 46 tons of carbon-fiber chemicals from a Chinese state company, POLITICO reported. The news comes as world leaders meet in New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready to restart peace talks. But analysts say the factory plans show Russia is preparing for more conflict. "No matter the political outcome over some sort of diplomatic solution to Ukraine, we don't see Russia de-escalating," said Nicholas Fenton of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.