Latest news with #VadymSkibitskyi
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Security Service prepares for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has begun preparations to implement a thousand-for-thousand prisoner exchange agreement with Russia. Source: the SSU in a statement Details: The SSU's Joint Centre for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners is compiling a list of the Russian military personnel that Ukraine may transfer as part of the swap. Meanwhile, the SSU, together with the Ministry of Health and other state agencies, is getting all the necessary infrastructure ready to receive Ukrainian military personnel after they are released from captivity – from logistics to medical staff, support and rehabilitation. Background: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has said he is confident that the thousand-for-thousand prisoner exchange with Russia will take place next week. On 16 May, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of DIU, reported that Ukraine has begun reviewing the lists of POWs who are to be brought back to Ukraine as part of the prisoner swap with Russia. An agreement on the simultaneous release and exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side was reached between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on 16 May 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine begins reviewing lists of POWs for swap with Russia
Ukraine has already begun reviewing the lists of POWs who are to be brought back to Ukraine as part of a prisoner swap with Russia in the thousand-for-thousand format. Source: Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, at a press conference Quote: "One of the key elements of the negotiations is reaching an agreement with the Russian side on the return of Ukrainians home. The Russian side has agreed to carry out an exchange involving 1,000 people. Starting today, we are reviewing the lists of those who will be brought back to the homeland. We have a good level of experience in working with the Russian side – as you know, we have managed to bring bodies back. We brought them home." Background: Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov stated that during the talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations discussed the possibility of a large-scale exchange of prisoners in the thousand-for-thousand Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
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.
