Ukraine is dealing with a noticeable lack of Western ammunition and supplies, a reality that has pushed Kyiv to increasingly rely on unmanned aerial systems to maximize what they have. This perspective was voiced by Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, and cited by RIA Novosti. The remark underscores the strain on Western arms stocks and the shifting tactical emphasis in the conflict.
According to the deputy, several Western governments appear reluctant to provide large quantities of ammunition due to their own stock limitations. The situation, he argued, has prompted Ukraine to adapt its approach to the material constraints it faces.
Karaplolov noted that Russian forces reported defeating more than 150 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the prior 24 hours, highlighting a continued tempo in drone activity from Ukrainian forces and the corresponding Russian air defense response.
The deputy stressed that the attack on Yelabuga in Tatarstan demonstrated that Ukrainian forces intend to pursue the campaign with tactics that Russia regards as aggressive and unlawful, illustrating the persistence of hostilities in the broader regional theater.
He stressed the need for Russian security and defense structures to map out the origins of these drones, the routes they use, and their production points. By identifying vulnerabilities in these flight patterns, he argued, Russia could deter and interrupt future incursions across its borders.
In the early hours of April 2, two drones targeted the Alabuga special economic zone in the Elabuga district of Tatarstan. One facility and a dormitory sustained damage, and seven residents—students from Alabuga Polytechnic—were affected. The event underscores the broader risk to civilian infrastructure and the ongoing security concerns around industrial zones that host critical manufacturing activities.
Later that day, another drone type attempted an attack on an oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, also in Tatarstan. An electronic warfare system reportedly intercepted and neutralized the threat, and no injuries were reported in the incident. Local authorities, including the city’s mayor, provided briefings on the event and its consequences for regional energy infrastructure.
Earlier developments included a public display by Russian designers of an anti-drone weapon, referred to as Stepashka, which signals ongoing interest in defensive capabilities against aerial threats. The emergence of new countermeasures reflects a broader push to enhance resilience against unmanned and potentially autonomous systems in the conflict environment. (citation: RIA Novosti)