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Russia Plans to Increase Daily Drone Production to 1,000 Units in 2026
Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Russia plans to significantly increase its daily strike drone production from the current 404 units to approximately 1,000 drones per day in 2026, representing a major escalation in unmanned warfare capabilities against Ukraine.
Why It Matters
This announcement indicates Russia's strategic commitment to intensifying drone-based attacks on Ukraine. The planned production increase reflects Russia's investment in asymmetric warfare through inexpensive unmanned systems and signals continued military escalation rather than preparation for negotiations, according to Ukrainian military leadership.
Timeline
5 Events
Ukraine Strikes Atlant Aero Drone Production Facility
January 12, 2026
Ukrainian forces conduct a long-range strike against the Atlant Aero drone production facility in Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, causing a fire at the enterprise that designs and manufactures Molniya fixed-wing drones and Orion components.
Russia Introduces Geran-5 Strike UAV with Increased Payload
January 8, 2026
Russia uses its new Geran-5 strike UAV against Ukraine for the first time, equipped with a 90-kilogram warhead, representing further innovation in drone warfare capabilities.
Russia Equips Molniya-2 Drones with Starlink Satellite Systems
January 2026
Russian forces begin equipping Molniya-2 fixed-wing FPV drones with Starlink satellite systems, dramatically increasing their battlefield efficiency. Reports indicate Russia heavily invested in Molniya-2 variant production.
Syrskyi Announces Russia's 1,000 Daily Drone Production Target
January 18, 2026
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announces in an interview with LB.ua that Russia plans to significantly increase production to deploy up to 1,000 strike drones daily in 2026. Syrskyi emphasizes Ukraine must disrupt these plans and inflict losses to force negotiations.
Russia Currently Producing 404 Strike Drones Daily
January 2026
General Oleksandr Syrskyi states that Russia is currently manufacturing approximately 404 Shahed loitering munitions of various types each day.