Leaked documents reveal Russia's plan to sharply boost kamikaze drone production

Documents obtained by the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre and reviewed by POLITICO reveal that Russian state corporation Rosatom is planning to expand its Alabuga-Volokno factory in Tatarstan's Alabuga Special Economic Zone. The expansion would allow production of an additional 500 tons of aerospace-grade carbon fiber annually by 2029 — a material essential for building drone airframes.

Experts estimate this production increase could translate into an additional 28,000 weaponized drones per year, a 78% rise from current levels. Drones of this type were used this month in a strike on a passenger train near the Polish border and have killed many Ukrainian civilians. Ukraine estimates Russia can already produce more than 36,000 kamikaze drones annually, known as "Gerans."

Satellite images from May and July show land adjacent to the site already being cleared for construction. Rosatom declined to comment on the documents but has previously stated it operates in compliance with the law. Both the U.S. House Select Committee on China and the Ukrainian government have confirmed the documents' authenticity.

Reducing import dependence

Moscow is working to reduce reliance on Chinese carbon fiber imports by building domestic production capacity, as it aims to manufacture around 130,000 drones by 2030 and 350,000 by 2035 under a national program. The expanded facility will also include a new plant for polyacrylonitrile fiber, a raw material Russia currently lacks in sufficient quantities.

Experts warn the expansion of the Alabuga complex is not merely a problem for the Ukrainian front but a long-term security challenge for all of Europe, particularly given previous Russian drone incursions into Polish and Romanian airspace. Russia has also added jet engines to its drones, enabling them to strike farther and faster.

The revelations come as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly in New York, with Russia's foreign minister signaling readiness to resume peace talks. However, analysts urge skepticism, noting Russia has continued drone attacks even after U.S. envoys visited Moscow and Kyiv to advance a peace process.