'There will be 1,000 units per day' — Ukrainian commander warns of increased Russian Shahed drone attacks
Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, warned on July 4 that Russian Shahed drone strikes could increase to 1,000 per day, prompting Ukraine to consider relocating drone production.
“Under the pressure of increasing mass use by the enemy of a cheap, but everywhere accessible Shahed… There will be 1,000 units (launched) per day and more,” he said in a post to social media.
Russia regularly strikes Ukrainian cities in drone attacks that heavily rely on the Iranian-designed Shahed drone.
Russia launched drones and ballistic missiles at the Ukrainian capital, injuring at least 26 people and killing one overnight on July 4. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia launched a record 550 drones and missiles during the seven-hour barrage.
“I am not scaring anyone,” Brovdi said, adding that he is citing the result of an intelligence analysis.
Kyiv is now considering relocating drone production amid the increased threat of Russian attacks, he said.
Ukraine has sought to expand its own defense production abroad, reaching key agreements with allies in recent weeks.
Copenhagen and Kyiv signed an agreement on July 4 that allows Ukrainian defense companies to open production facilities in Denmark, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin said.
Skyeton Prevail Solutions, a joint venture between Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton and U.K.-based defense company Prevail Solutions, will manufacture and supply Raybird drones in the U.K., the two companies announced on July 2.
Zelensky and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in London on June 23, where the two leaders agreed to an “industrial military co-production agreement."
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy