War Production Hinges on Control of the Skyline
Ukraine War:
Russia and Ukraine Engage in Intensifying Conflict Over Airfields and War Production
In the past week, tensions
Ukraine Strikes Back at Russian Airfields
Ukraine has continued to target Russian airfields, with strikes reported at Engels airbase 500km southeast of Moscow and Dyagilevo airbase, 170km from the capital. The JSC Progress plant in Michurinsk, a key link in Russia’s defence industrial chain, was also targeted by Ukrainian forces. These attacks aim to disrupt Russia’s war production and delivery capabilities.
Russia Intensifies Air Raids on Cities
Scale of Drone Production Increases
Russia has scaled up its drone production, with estimates suggesting that it can now manufacture 2,700 Shahed drones and 2,500 decoys each month. This represents a significant increase from just 500 drones per year ago. The partnership between Russia and North Korea to build Harpy and Shahed-type drones poses an increasingly serious threat to European and Asian security.
EU and US Pull Further Apart
The conflict is taking its toll on international relations, with the EU and US pulling further apart in their response to Russia’s aggression. The European Commission has proposed an 18th package of sanctions targeting Russia’s banks, energy revenues, and military. However, the US remains committed to no new aid since January 2021, even reversing some of the former administration’s pledges.
A Psychological Milestone Reached
Russian troops have reached the border of Dnipropetrovsk, a Ukrainian region that has yet to be stepped on in the three-year war. This achievement marks a psychological milestone for Russia, which aims to create a buffer zone in the region.
As tensions continue to escalate, one cannot help but wonder: will Ukraine’s efforts to disrupt Russian airfield production and delivery capabilities ultimately force Moscow to reconsider its stance? Or will the international community remain ineffective in deterring Russia’s aggression? The world watches with bated breath as this conflict unfolds.