On April 2, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeted the special economic zone 'Alabuga,' which produces Iranian Shahed drones, as well as an oil refining factory in Nizhnekamsk, Republic of Tatarstan. Thirteen locals sustained injuries as a result of the assault.
Early in the morning on April 2, two UAVs targeted the dormitory of the special economic zone 'Alabuga,' which accommodates several industrial enterprises manufacturing diverse products, including Shahed drones. The cluster’s press office asserted that the UAVs were 'supplied with equipment from NATO countries.' 'Alabuga' continued its work.
According to the republic’s Ministry of Healthcare, the number of wounded has reached 13. Some of them are students, who were forced to assemble Shahed drones. Two victims are not even 18 years old, states the 161.RU media outlet.
UAVs also targeted the TANECO oil refining complex in Nizhnekamsk and struck one of the refineries. Mayor Ramil Mullin confirmed the attack on the factory. He asserted that the drone had been shot down and that there was no destruction.
The Republic of Tatarstan is the easternmost part of Russia to have been targeted since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
In 2022, journalists discovered that the 'Alabuga' enterprise in Tatarstan had begun production of Iranian combat drones named Shahed. The company signed a defense contract with the state to exempt its employees from mobilization. The enterprise’s leadership also engaged students to assemble drones. They earn 30,000-40,000 rubles (approximately 320-430 USD) and have to work round the clock, often without pauses or lunch breaks, under the threat of expulsion from university.
