Stopping Russia's drone factory expansion requires long-range missiles, says expert
Expert explains feasibility of halting Russia's new factory construction in Alabuga (photo: Getty Images)
To prevent Russia from building new Shahed drone factories in Alabuga, Ukraine needs long-range missiles from its allies, said Lieutenant General and former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Ihor Romanenko.
"Fundamentally, such an increase [in drone production] is possible, let's say, but we were already able to reach them earlier — although not as effectively as we would like. Because these are drones, the warhead isn't powerful enough to significantly change the situation there," Romanenko said.
According to him, Ukraine needs missile weapons from its allies to strike Russian defense factories in Tatarstan and Alabuga.
"But they plan to expand production domestically, and they also plan to transfer production to North Korea — to create interest in that way, because cooperation with Iran in this regard has worsened due to the war it conducted with Israel," the expert added.
Therefore, according to him, the Russians are looking for ways to increase their capabilities.
"And we, together with our allies, are working on providing Ukraine's Defense Forces with the tools that would allow them to carry out appropriate strikes on those production sites, storage facilities, and launch positions from where [the drones] are launched," Romanenko noted.
Attacks on factory in Tatarstan
Alabuga is a special industrial economic zone located in the Yelabuga District of Tatarstan.
In June, reports emerged of a drone attack on a factory in the Russian city of Yelabuga, where Shahed drones are produced.
This was not the first attack on the factory in Yelabuga. Explosions in the area were previously reported on April 23.
On the night of April 26, drones once again attacked Yelabuga. A large chemical plant in Ivanovo Oblast was also targeted at that time. That facility produces components for Russian military equipment and weapons, including missiles.
Russia increasing drone production
Recently, Christian Freuding, Major General of the Bundeswehr and head of the Situation Center for Ukraine at Germany's Ministry of Defense, stated that Russia intends to launch up to 2,000 drones at Ukraine simultaneously.
According to Freuding, Russia is significantly expanding its production capabilities, and the intensified attacks will pose a serious challenge to Ukraine's air defense system.
Earlier, reports in Ukraine suggested that Russia was preparing to dramatically increase drone attacks and could launch up to 1,000 drones per night.
This information was addressed by Yurii Ihnat, Head of the Communications Directorate of the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
"The public shouldn't be overly frightened. Of course, we need to prepare for an increase [in drone numbers], because that is the current trend," Ihnat commented.
