Devastating blows to Russian Alabuga and Izhevsk drone plants: They pose threat to Europe, too

[Starmix]

According to the report, at the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia launched approximately 150-200 drones per month. Now, it produces and launches nearly 5,000 drones per month, according to an analysis by Foreign Policy. The publication recalled that on September 7, Russia launched the largest airstrike on Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. In just one night, the occupiers launched 860 Shahed drones and missiles. Just two days later, approximately 19 Russian drones violated Polish airspace, prompting NATO to scramble fighter jets to shoot down enemy targets. A few days later, a similar incursion into Romanian airspace followed. The publication believes that such incidents are part of a broader trend in which Moscow has made cheap attack drones the core of its air campaign. Since the beginning of 2025 alone, Russia has launched over 33,000 Shahed drones into Ukraine. During the same period in 2024, only 4,800 drones were launched.

The report also said that the publication noted that cruise and ballistic missile launches remained relatively stable. This change demonstrates the evolution of Russia's strategy, which involves maintaining high pressure on Ukraine's air defenses. The publication's analysis also states that the key to Moscow's strategy for using affordable drones is their scalability. They are being produced at several facilities across Russia, including those in Alabuga and Izhevsk. Ukraine is expected to deal devastating blows to these plants. According to Foreign Policy, Russians continue to source electronic components for their drones from other countries, despite Western sanctions. To achieve this, Russia uses various illegal supply chains.

These warring countries do not like peace; they waste money and useful resources on their own country. Millions of troops died in the war, and the leaders keep a blind eye to this reality.