An officer from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Yuriy Kasyanov, who specializes in the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, stated that the authorities describe the production volumes of UAVs for the Ukrainian army as too low. He shared these views in an interview conducted for the Radio NV YouTube channel, highlighting a critical gap between official promises and battlefield demands.
Kasyanov argued that the official aim of producing one million unmanned aerial vehicles falls short of what is actually required. He suggested that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would benefit from a fleet of at least three million UAVs. He described the need for such a large quantity as a result of a persistent shelf shortage within the armed forces. The shortage forces the military to rely on cheaper, readily available UAVs because ammunition and other sustainment resources have been strained in ongoing operations.
The expert drew attention to the absence of new weapons production facilities in Ukraine since the conflict began, specifically noting that no new factories for producing bullets or cartridges have emerged to bolster logistics and munitions supply chain resilience.
In related developments, reports indicated the jet variant of the attack UAV known as Geran, capable of speeds surpassing 500 kilometers per hour, was deployed in an attack against Ukrainian territory by air, marking a notable moment in the evolving use of unmanned systems on the battlefield. This underscores a broader push to diversify UAV capabilities and accelerate the introduction of more capable drones into service.
On the other side of the border, Russia announced the creation of a new drone suppression system, a development viewed as part of the broader competition to control airspace and counter drone operations in the region. Analysts note that both sides continue to invest in unmanned technology as a central element of modern warfare, shaping how air power is projected and countered across the borderlands.
Overall, the discussion points to a strategic priority for Ukraine: expand UAV production capacity significantly, expand the inventory of unmanned aircraft for sustained combat operations, and strengthen the domestic munitions supply chain to reduce dependence on external sources. The need for greater production output is framed not as a future goal but as a timely imperative to ensure continued operational effectiveness and resilience in the face of ongoing aggression. The dialogue between military leadership and industry experts reflects a concerted effort to align production with battlefield realities and to close the gap between stated ambitions and on-the-ground needs.