Latest news with #Skibitskyi
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia maintains high missile production levels, Ukraine's intelligence says
Russia currently maintains a high level of missile production, particularly for Kh-101, Kalibr and Iskander missiles. Source: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrinform Details: When asked which types of missiles Russia is currently producing the most, Skibitskyi stated: "They are essentially... maintaining a high level of missile production. Which ones? Kh-101..., Kalibr – they are now replenishing their arsenals and stocks that were depleted during missile strikes." Skibitskyi said that Russia is currently paying great attention to the production of Iskander missiles, primarily to achieve greater accuracy and destructive power. Quote: "And no one has cancelled hypersonic missiles. Kinzhal, Zirkon – these are now their priority in production, as they consider them high-precision weapons." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia increases number and effectiveness of drones and missiles to deplete Ukrainian air defence
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War have pointed out that Russian forces are increasing the number and effectiveness of drones and missiles to suppress Ukrainian air defence. Source: ISW Quote: "Russian forces continue to innovate their strike packages and leverage larger numbers of Shahed and decoy drones in an attempt to penetrate Ukraine's air defense umbrella." Details: Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that Russian forces are launching missiles from several different directions. Moreover, the Russians launch 150-200 drones in nightly attacks. Skibitskyi noted that previously, Russian forces launched missiles from one direction and used an average of 20 to 30 drones during a single nighttime series of strikes. He said that Russian forces alternate between missiles and drones in order to overwhelm Ukrainian air defence systems. Skibitskyi added that Russian forces begin launching drones in the evening so they can reach Ukraine by 23:00 and that strikes continue until morning. Quote: "ISW observed reports that Russian forces began launching between 80 and 100 (or more) Shahed and decoy drones as part of their larger strike packages in October and November 2024 and have been launching between 100 to 200 (or more) Shahed and decoy drones in February 2025. Russian forces most likely use large numbers of Shahed and decoy drones to detect and overwhelm Ukrainian air defense and mobile fire groups." Details: Analysts noted that the increase in the number of drones in Russian nighttime attacks indicates that Russia is likely not currently facing domestic constraints on the production of Shahed or decoy drones, nor are there any limitations on Iranian components for Shahed production. However, the review adds, it remains unclear whether Russia will be able to produce or obtain sufficient components to avoid drone production restrictions in the long term. Also, according to the data analysed by the ISW, Russian missile production has not increased significantly, but Russian forces appear to be prioritising the production of missile and drone variants that are more effective against Ukrainian air defence. Skibitskyi said that Russia slightly increased its missile production by 1.2-1.5 times during 2024 and is redistributing its production capacity. Quote: "ISW previously assessed that Russia likely intended to further increase its production and use of Shahed drones and other Shahed-variants following the signing of the Russian-Iranian Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025."Ukrainian military intelligence indicated that about 620,000 Russian soldiers are operating in Ukraine and Kursk Oblast, an increase of about 40,000 personnel compared to late 2024. Russian authorities reportedly exceeded their recruitment quotas in 2024 and January 2025, likely in part due to increased financial incentives for recruits and prison recruitment efforts that are unsustainable in the medium- to long-term. Russian forces continue to innovate their strike packages and leverage larger numbers of Shahed and decoy drones in an attempt to penetrate Ukraine's air defense umbrella. Russian missile production has reportedly not significantly increased, but Russian forces appear to be prioritising production of missile and drone variants that are more effective against Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Velyka Novosilka and in Kursk Oblast. The Kremlin continues to promote its "Time of Heroes" veterans' programme as part of efforts to militarise the Russian government and society. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia plans to launch 500 kamikaze drones per day at Ukraine, HUR says
Russia plans to launch at least 500 drones per aerial attack against Ukraine, Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), said in an interview with RBC Ukraine published on March 3. Both Ukraine and Russia have heavily invested in drone technology throughout the war, significantly altering modern warfare tactics. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has launched thousands of cheap but effective drones at Ukraine. Russia currently uses 150 to 200 drones per attack against Ukraine which occur on a daily basis, but Russian forces plan to increase their capabilities to 500, Skibitskyi told RBC Ukraine. Russia also plans to increase the number of sites from which drones will be launched. Russian forces have significantly increased domestic production of various types of drones, according to Skibitskyi. Russia uses combat and reconnaissance drones, as well as so-called "decoys," which are drones without a payload, he added. "All of this simply overloads our air defense system. It is very difficult to distinguish between a drone flying with a warhead and one without," Skibitskyi said. "Earlier, in 2023 and early 2024, we knew only a Shahed (drone), then there were Geran-1, Geran-2, and that was it. Today, the range of these unmanned aerial vehicles is so large that it is not even always possible to count them on one hand," Skibitsky added. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Feb. 6. Russia is forming unmanned systems forces and plans to recruit up to 210,000 personnel for the new branch by 2030. Ukraine, as well as Russia, has continuously expanded its drone capabilities, using aerial, naval, and ground-based systems for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and other operations. The country's Unmanned Systems Forces announced on Jan. 31 that Ukrainian troops are now employing a long-range drone capable of traveling up to 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) while carrying a 250-kilogram air bomb. Read also: 10 Ukrainian drone makers to watch We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia plans large-scale drone attacks on Ukraine, deploying up to 500 UAVs at once – Ukraine's intelligence
Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has said in an interview that the Russians are planning to increase drone production and are preparing large-scale attacks on Ukraine. Source: Skibitskyi's interview with RBC Ukraine Quote: "According to Russian commanders, if plans for the first half of the year are fulfilled, they will be able to launch approximately 500 unmanned aerial vehicles at a time." Details: Skibitskyi stated that the Russians aim to enhance the number of UAVs that can be launched simultaneously, as well as broaden the network of launch locations for drones. He stated that Russia has not changed its targets in missile and drone attacks. The main targets remain the command and control system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, aviation and airfields, energy and gas transportation infrastructure, as well as defence industry enterprises. Skibitskyi stressed that the Russian forces have recently been actively attacking the gas transmission system and fields in an attempt to deprive Ukraine of its own resources. There has also been a change in attack tactics - the Russians are clearly planning attacks to inflict maximum damage. Background: The Russians conducted a large-scale attack on the night of 2-3 March, launching 83 Shahed attack drones and decoy drones from the Russian cities of Oryol, Kursk, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. The Ukrainian defence forces managed to down 46 UAVs. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian intelligence: 1,000 North Korean soldiers are mastering new equipment in Russia
Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, has said that about 1,000 North Korean soldiers are being trained on new military equipment in Russia, which increases their combat effectiveness. He has stated that those soldiers are rapidly mastering modern tactics and strategies, including working with drones. Source: Skibitskyi for The Chosun, a South Korean media outlet Details: Skibitskyi said that the DPRK soldiers were mastering modern tactics and strategies in just a few months, which significantly increased their combat effectiveness. Quote: "North Korean soldiers are fast learners, adapting to modern combat tactics and strategies in just a few months. Their combat effectiveness has improved dramatically – not only with conventional weapons like tanks but also with advanced systems such as drones." Previously: Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said in an interview with The Chosun that North Korean troops' participation in the war against Ukraine will have long-term consequences for the security system in the Asia-Pacific region, and North Korea is modernising its technologies and gaining combat experience. Budanov also said that the North Korean group in the war against Ukraine lost about 4,000 military personnel killed and seriously wounded. But despite the significant losses, North Korean forces continue to actively participate in joint operations with Russian troops. Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Friday, 7 February, that Russian forces have once again deployed North Korean troops to Russia's Kursk Oblast, with new assaults reported in the area. Zelenskyy said hundreds of Russian and North Korean soldiers were killed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
