Russia is planning to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs in 2023, including a new longer-range version that can reach more targets. This information was shared by Major General Vadym Skibitskyi from Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence but has not been verified by Reuters. Russian arms production has significantly increased since the invasion of Ukraine, and details on military output are kept secret. Skibitskyi indicated that Russian forces are currently using between 200 and 250 glide bombs daily, which are easier to produce and launch than missiles, threatening Ukrainian city defenses without risking aircraft.
These glide bombs can travel up to 90 km (56 miles) but the new version can reach up to 200 km (125 miles) and plans are underway for a version that could reach 400 km. Recent attacks on cities like Mykolaiv, Poltava, and Odesa have shown the expanded reach of these weapons. Although Russia denies targeting civilians, many have been killed and injured during the invasion. Skibitskyi also provided insights into Russian drone production, estimating that by 2025, Russia could produce around 70,000 long-range drones, including 30,000 Shahed drones used frequently in attacks.
He noted that Russia’s drone attacks have been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with the expectation that these will continue in winter to destabilize Ukraine and exert pressure for more favorable peace negotiations. Skibitskyi suggested that if Russian forces capture Pokrovsk, they might advance further into the Donetsk region.
Additionally, North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells to Russia, which has supported their firepower on the battlefield; however, the number of shells received has decreased significantly as North Korean stockpiles diminish. There were no shipments reported in September, but some were noted in October. Much of the ammunition is old and requires improvements at Russian factories. North Korea is also ramping up its own production of drones and drawing lessons from its involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Thousands of North Korean troops assisted Russian forces in 2022, responding to Ukraine’s actions to ease pressure on its own troops. North Korea claims that its involvement is to promote world peace against Western aggression, but has not provided specific details or responded to queries about its role.
With information from Reuters