In 2025, Russia has already collected more “Shaheeds” than in all of 2024

In the first seven months of 2025, Russia produced about 18,000 Geran-2 kamikaze drones, better known as Shaheds. This indicates a rapid increase in production of these strike UAVs, which is only accelerating every year.

This is reported by Defense Express.

In particular, we are talking about drones with markings starting with “Ы” – these “Shaheeds” are manufactured at a factory in Alabuz, Tatarstan. In July of this year, Ukrainian forces shot down a device with the serial number Ы30000 – that is, the anniversary, thirty-thousandth drone of this series.

For comparison:

in the second half of 2023, the Russian Federation produced approximately 2.5 thousand such drones;

in 2024 – about 10 thousand;

and only for January–July 2025 – already 18 thousand, that is, almost twice as many as for the entire previous year.

These figures indicate that production capacity at Alabuz and other sites has been significantly expanded. However, experts warn that further growth in production may face limitations, including shortages of components, expensive navigation systems, and financial costs.

It is known that Russia is gradually installing more expensive satellite modules in the Shaheda, such as the 12-channel Comet-M antenna, which provides secure navigation. At the same time, it is saving on individual components: for example, new models no longer have a starter in the engine.

According to estimates for 2023, the cost of one Shahed was approximately $200,000. If the cost remains at this level, then the production of 3,000 drones per month costs the Russian Federation $600 million, or more than $7 billion per year. In the case of a hypothetical launch of 1,000 drones per day, this is already more than $70 billion per year, or almost half of Russia’s military budget.

Despite large-scale production, the costs for the Russian Federation are becoming increasingly significant — both financially and in terms of resources.

Recall that Russia plans to produce up to two million FPV drones by 2025. In addition, Russia wants to produce 30,000 long-range drones and another 30,000 decoy drones, which are designed to exhaust the Ukrainian air defense system.

As reported, Russia is building a new large explosives production plant in Siberia to supply its troops.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram .