Russia's July missile campaign exceeds monthly production capacity
Russia is increasingly relying on ballistic missiles (photo: Getty Images)
Since the beginning of July, Russia has launched more ballistic missiles at Ukraine than it produces in a month. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War say this suggests Moscow is drawing down its stockpiled missile reserves.
US analysts cite the Ukrainian defense publication Militarnyi, which reported that Russia may have used up to two-thirds of its planned annual production of Zircon missiles in July alone.
Moreover, Russia launched more ballistic missiles at Ukraine in July than it produces in a month.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces have used the following against Ukraine since the beginning of July:
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107 ballistic missiles;
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20 Zircon missiles.
Militarnyi learned from Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) that Russia produces each month:
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Around 60 Iskander-M ballistic missiles;
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About 40 missiles for S-400 systems.
"Russia appears to be dipping into its stockpiles to continue increasing the number of ballistic missiles it launches against Ukraine, as these missiles have a higher success rate than drones and cruise missiles," the analysts said.
The ISW team also noted that the Russian military sharply reduced the number of drones used in overnight attacks.
Since the beginning of the month, Russia has launched 2,955 drones, compared with 5,749 in June.
Earlier, it was reported on how Ukraine's air defense repelled Russia's latest attack and how many targets were neutralized.
Explosions were heard across Crimea, and a key energy facility caught fire.
In addition, it emerged that Moscow had once again come under a Ukrainian strike.
