Workers in Izhevsk had been prohibited from leaving their workplaces in anticipation of Vladimir Putin’s visit. The President was expected at the former shopping center "Italmas," which has been converted into a combat drone plant. The Telegram channel "Udmurtia Against Corruption" reported this on September 19th, by citing anonymous sources.
Vladimir Putin was expected to visit the former shopping center "Italmas" in Izhevsk, which has been repurposed for combat drone production. According to the source of the Telegram channel "Udmurtia Against Corruption," he was supposed to come on September 19th, which is Gunsmith Day.
Local residents reported that there was a lot of activity at "Italmas," with police presence in all the courtyards around. Company executives had asked their employees not to go outside. The territory around "Italmas" was repaved the day before.
The Kremlin has made no official announcement about Putin's potential visit to Izhevsk.
The idea of producing drones in the former shopping center had sparked protests among Izhevsk residents. However, the shopping center has been converted despite their requests and petitions. Two other shopping centers in Izhevsk, "New House" and "Stolitsa," have also been transformed into similar productions.