“Russia is increasing the production of “Shakhed” for the winter campaign against Ukraine – ISW The factory in Alabuz produced 5,760 “Shakhed” drones in 9 months of 2024, which is twice as much as in 2023. Russia plans to produce 10,000 decoy drones by the end of the year to overcome Ukrainian air defense.”, — write on: unn.ua
Details
Analysts of the Institute for the Study of War, citing Ukrainian intelligence, write in their report that the Russian factory in the Alabuga special economic zone in the Republic of Tatarstan produced 5,760 Shahed drones between January and September 2024. This is twice as much as was released in 2023. According to leaked documents, the company has already signed an agreement to produce 6,000 drones by September 2025.
It is also reported that Russia is actively developing low-tech decoy drones similar to Shahed, which are used to defeat Ukraine’s air defense systems. It is planned to produce up to 10,000 such decoys by the end of 2024, which is almost twice the number of strike drones.
The report notes that the Russians have built two new workshops at the Alabuz factory and installed drone screens over the buildings. To improve logistics, the Russians created a railway station with a direct connection between Russia and China, through which the necessary components for the production of drones are supplied.
the Russian military will likely continue to adapt its strike strategies to damage Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, while also trying to ramp up production of Shahed drones. The signing of the strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran in January 2025 may contribute to this process
Analysts write in their report that Russia faces restrictions in supplying factories with quality components due to Western sanctions. the Russians are forced to use low-quality Chinese-made engines. At the same time, Ukrainian forces, thanks to innovations in radio-electronic warfare, are effectively countering the strikes of the Shaheds.
Key findings:
– Russia continues to build up its domestic capacity for the production of Iranian Shahed drones ahead of the planned strike campaign against Ukraine in the winter of 2024-2025. At the same time, the country still faces restrictions on the production and use of these drones, which will likely remain relevant in 2025.
– North Korean troops are suffering significant losses, in particular, the first captured North Korean soldier in the Kursk region was recently confirmed.
– Ukrainian troops attacked the Russian headquarters in the temporarily occupied territory of the Zaporizhia region with the HIMARS system. Three Russian officers were reportedly killed. This pre-emptive strike occurred to prevent a possible resumption of Russian offensive operations in the west of the Zaporizhzhia region.
– the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviation) blamed weather conditions and the pilot’s actions for the crash of the Embraer 190 of Azerbaijan Airlines in Aktau (Kazakhstan) on December 25. However, a Russian law enforcement source linked to Rosaviatsia claims that the agency tried to cover up the misuse of Russian air defense systems by releasing an alleged transcript of the negotiations between the crew and the controller in Grozny.
– Finnish authorities have arrested the Russian oil tanker Eagle S on suspicion of involvement in damaging underwater power and telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea. At the same time, it is emphasized that it is still too early to claim that Russia is involved in the damage.
– Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Serhiy Shoigu as the head of the newly created Scientific Expert Council under the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
– The Armed Forces of Ukraine regained their positions near Siversk, while Russian troops advanced in the Toretsk, Veliky Novosilka, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhiv areas.
– Russian regions are increasing the amount of bonuses for military service to encourage conscription.
We will remind
Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a proposal being developed by US President-elect Donald Trump’s team for a possible peace plan.