Russia’s drone production fuels record assaults on Ukraine: WSJ

Russia is ramping up drone production at an unprecedented scale, fueling its largest air assault yet on Ukraine, with more than 700 drones and decoy munitions launched in a single night this week, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing Ukrainian officials.

The barrage targeted western cities and marked a dramatic escalation in the drone war, coming amid growing frustration in Washington, where President Trump criticized Russia’s reluctance to engage in peace talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as further proof that Moscow doesn’t have any interest in ending the conflict. While most of the drones were reportedly intercepted, damage was still done to warehouses and infrastructure, and civilians across Ukraine continue to endure near-nightly air raid alerts.

Russia’s ability to launch such large-scale drone attacks stems from a 2022 agreement with Iran, which provided Moscow with Shahed drone technology, manufacturing equipment and thousands of units. Since then, Russia has localized production in facilities like the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, drawing on Chinese components, foreign labor and Iran’s logistical expertise.

Kyiv-based intelligence officials say these drone operations now span multiple facilities across Russia. Moscow has also made technical upgrades to the drones, making them faster and quieter to increase their effectiveness.

Ukraine estimates Russia is now producing more than 5,000 drones and decoys monthly, some with ranges up to 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles). In response, Ukraine is deploying jet fighters, helicopters, jamming systems and its own drones to counter the threat.

Russia has also adopted deceptive tactics, using fake drones to exhaust Ukraine’s air defenses. Ukrainian forces are working to identify and disable these decoys through electronic warfare rather than missiles.

Meanwhile, Russia accuses Ukraine of launching daily drone strikes into its territory. In one incident, authorities in Russia’s Kursk region reported four civilian deaths from a drone attack on a beach, the Journal reported.