New secret Russian test site for "Shahed" drones discovered near Orenburg (photos)

Russia has established a new specialised military test range for "Shahed"-type attack drones, also known as "Geranium-2", in the Totsky district of the Orenburg region, close to the border with Kazakhstan.

The findings were reported by an OSINT researcher using the pseudonym kim høvik, who shared the results of his satellite imagery analysis on social media platform X.

According to the analysis, construction at the site began in 2022. The facility was gradually expanded over the following years and, by 2025, had developed into a fully operational base suitable for launching and testing unmanned systems.

The satellite imagery shows characteristic infrastructure features at the site, including launch ramps, designated areas for preparing drones for launch and zones used for the temporary storage of loitering munitions. Analysts say the configuration of the facility is consistent with requirements for testing strike kamikaze drones.

According to OSINT community assessments, the range may be used not only to test serial versions of "Geranium-2" drones but also new drone modifications and other prospective strike systems that could later be deployed in the war against Ukraine.

Experts say the choice of a location deep inside Russian territory, near sparsely populated areas and close to the border with Kazakhstan, is likely aimed at minimising external observation, reducing the risk of sabotage and ensuring access to large airspaces for test flights.