In the city of Yelabuga, Russians have deployed at least two production lines for kamikaze drones called "Shahed."
According to Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the most massive use of "Shahed" by Russians for attacks on Ukraine occurred in December.
"If I'm not mistaken, in December, the enemy used approximately 770-780 of these strike UAVs. This refers only to those that were recorded by us. There is still a certain percentage - approximately 4% - that did not reach the destination, did not launch, or exploded immediately after launch. We have confirmed data from the Russian side that such cases also occur," said Skibitsky.
Regarding production, he mentioned that Russians did indeed have an initial contract that involved supplying UAVs from Iran. After that, they set up their own production, which is now operational in Yelabuga. There are at least two production lines there. However, most of the components come from other countries.
"In addition, in Russia, they have established the production of gliders - the body of these UAVs. The aggressor country now manufactures them independently. More parts and details now come from other countries, so it's not solely dependent on Iran," added the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate.
Furthermore, Skibitsky mentioned that Russia is capable of and is already producing or assembling drones on its own territory. This is evidenced by the fragments found after enemy attacks. Additionally, he noted that if we talk about the engines in "Shahed," earlier there were at most two different firms, but now there are at least 3-4 different firms, including Chinese ones.
According to Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russia's goal is to achieve a fully closed production cycle for such UAVs on its territory by 2026.
"I'm not sure if they will manage to replace or find a Russian analog, such as an electronic base - microchips, chips, and so on. But starters, body, combat part, engines, and other elements of the navigation system can currently be manufactured by the Russian Federation," noted the representative of Ukrainian intelligence.
Skibitsky also added that the volumes of "Shaheds" production mostly depend on the quantity and availability of components.
"According to our estimates, they can produce (as many as they did, for example, in December) 330-350 units of these UAVs. But, again, it depends on whether there are parts, for example, there may be bodies, combat parts, but no engines. They did what they could and are waiting only for the engines. Once the engines arrive, the number of ready-made products will increase, and there will be more than 300," he explained.
At the same time, the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate noted that all "Shakheds" or the so-called "Geran-2," which are produced, go directly into combat use.
"That's why we see a different number of drones being used. December showed that even if the enemy had some reserves, they are currently running out, and all these UAVs launched literally come straight from the conveyor," added Skibitsky.
