Russian UAVs attacking Ukraine made days ago, Kyiv official says
Downed Shahed UAV (Photo: REUTERS/Alina Smutko)
A Shahed
drone that struck Kharkiv on June 4 was manufactured only a few days earlier, according
to Ukrainian Defense Ministry adviser Serhii Beskrestnov.
On his Telegram channel, Beskrestnov posted photos of debris recovered from the site and included commentary on Russia’s arms stockpiles.
“Shaheds usually bear production dates five to 15 days
earlier; that means Russia attacks us almost immediately after they roll off
the assembly line,” he wrote.
Beskrestnov said Iskander 9M723 ballistic missiles recently used by Russia show 2025 production dates, suggesting Moscow maintains a stock of at least 180 to 250 such missiles. He added that Zircon hypersonic missiles used to strike Ukraine are dated 2026, Kh-101 cruise missiles are typically manufactured a few months before use, S-400 (48N6U) surface-to-air missiles also show 2026 production dates, and Kh-59 air-to-surface missiles are dated to the third quarter of 2025.
Given current production rates, Beskrestnov suggested Russia
cannot amass large stockpiles, so nearly all weapons produced are soon used in
strikes on Ukraine.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
