Ukraine says Russia plans a massive surge in glide bomb production this year, aiming for up to 120,000 units. Major General Vadym Skibitskyi of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence revealed the estimate, noting that Russia has pushed its arms factories to nonstop output since the 2022 invasion.
Russian forces now fire 200 to 250 glide bombs every day. These weapons use wings or small engines to travel long distances and hit cities without risking aircraft near the front. Their heavy explosives have already devastated Kharkiv, Kherson and other frontline regions.
Skibitskyi says Russia will also produce about 500 new glide bombs with a range of up to 200 km by year-end. Ukraine believes Moscow is developing versions that could travel up to 400 km, allowing strikes on deeper targets without using missiles. Recent attacks on Mykolaiv, Poltava and Odesa show the expanding reach.
He also warned that Russia plans to manufacture around 70,000 long-range drones in 2025, including 30,000 Shahed models. These drones have increasingly hit Ukraine’s energy system ahead of winter.
Skibitskyi added that North Korea continues to assist Moscow by supplying ammunition and producing its own battlefield drones. He expects Russia to keep using pressure tactics to force Kyiv into future negotiations.
