Putin turned Russia into "drone empire": NYT warns Ukraine about new threats
Moscow has literally mobilized public and private resources to create a "drone empire". A qualitative increase in the production of tactical drones for the forefront is due to the involvement of regional governments, factories and even students, journalists say. Allied relations with Iran and China also helped: countries are constantly exchanging technologies and accessories. According to analysts, Russia is able to produce about 30,000 drones-copies of Iranian "Shahmed" per year.
By 2026, it could double this figure. When, three years ago, Russia launched 43 Shahaned Iranian drones in Ukraine in one blow, it was in the spotlight. Now, in September 7, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation attacked more than 800 drones and false purposes. NYT, based on the Air Force data, estimated that Russia has increased the blows of drones since September 2024.
In 2025, the figures have increased sharply: more than 34,000 shock drones and false purposes were launched, which is almost overwhelmingly higher than in the same period last year. Ukraine stated that it has shot down 88% of drones this year, and in 2024 this figure was almost 93%. Independent verification of this data is impossible, the authors of the article emphasize. Increasing the number of UAVs in combination with new technologies and tactics has created a tremendous problem for Ukraine.
The Russian Federation uses shock drones, together with missiles and traps to suppress air defense systems in massive attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, weapons production and peaceful purposes in rear cities. "First of all, drones sow horror, transferring the war to the front line at night. It practically deprives Ukrainians the opportunity to sleep during large -scale attacks.
The goal is to demoralize people and undermine their will to fight," Michael Kafman explained, senior researcher. Kyiv strikes UAVs in large oil refineries in the Russian Federation, but Russian blows are more powerful and more complex. Moscow sends UAV swarms or waves through the tangled trajectories to distract from true goals. During the attacks, many false goals made of foam and plywood fly. They are practically indistinguishable from real drones in the sky.
At the same time, the devices manage to bypass open spaces where Ukrainian air defense units operate, flying over rivers and forests. When drones go into cities, they are more difficult to knock down because of high buildings and the risk to civilians, watches write. Ukraine responds to massive attacks by inexpensive drones with radars. But, according to Cofman, their use is still limited.
"If Ukrainians are able to scale technology, over time, they will solve the problem of drowning drones in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is a matter of production and large -scale deployment," the analyst summed up. The rates of drones to Poland and Romania demonstrated what difficulties NATO would face in defense against attacks by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In the future, thousands of drones in one attack are possible.
Russian drones became more perfect in technological terms: they have new guidance systems, increased resistance to obstacles and types of warheads, the authors added. We will remind, in the afternoon on September 14, the occupiers launched "Shahda" and ballistic missiles in Ukraine. The goals were launched in the northern regions. On September 15, the Russian army hit Zaporizhzhia on September 15, explosions were heard in the city.