According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russia has already launched the production of Shaheds on its territory. The occupiers collected from 320 to 350 drones monthly.
Russia is already producing Shahedi: what is known
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine deputy chief, Major General Vadym Skibitsky, notes that the process of drone production is not very simple, so it is not possible to talk about a more or less stable number of "Shahed”s which the invaders manage to collect every month.
According to him, everything depends on whether there are parts, bodies, combat parts, engines.
The process is significantly slowed down if there is not even one element.
As in the case of missiles, all "Shahed" or so-called "Geran-2" that are produced are immediately used for combat missions. And that's why we see a different number of used drones. December[2023] showed that even if the enemy had some reserves, they are running out today, and all these UAVs that are launched are literally coming off the assembly line.
Vadym Skibitskyi also reminded that Moscow signed a contract with Tehran regarding the supply of drones from Iran.
However, even this enemy turned out to be not enough. So it established its own production, which is already operating on the territory of Russia, particularly in Yelabuga:
At least two production lines are deployed there. But mostly components come from other countries.
Russia wants to create a full cycle of "Shahed" production
According to DIU data, the Russian authorities expect to be able to do this by 2024.
However, Ukrainian intelligence officers have doubts about the implementation of this plan.
I am not sure that they will be able to replace or find a Russian analogue, for example, of the electronic base — microcircuits, chips, etc. But the Russian Federation is able to manufacture starters, hull, warhead, engines, and other elements of the navigation system today.
Vadym Skibitsky also officially confirmed that the most massive use of "Shahed" was recorded last month.
He says that 770-780 of these kamikaze drones were used.
