Kyiv, Oct 6 (AP) — On Monday, the Ukrainian military reported successful long-range drone strikes targeting a major Russian ammunition plant, a critical oil terminal, and an essential weapons depot beyond the front lines. These strikes intensify the ongoing pressure on Moscow's military logistics.
The Ukrainian General Staff revealed that the Sverdlov ammunition plant in the Nizhny Novgorod region of western Russia was hit overnight, leading to multiple explosions and a significant fire. The plant supplies vital aviation and artillery ordnance, including aviation bombs and anti-aircraft, as well as anti-tank munitions, to Russian forces.
Additionally, Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in Crimea, igniting a blaze, along with an ammunition depot belonging to Russia's 18th Combined Arms Army, the General Staff reported.
Russian authorities confirmed a substantial Ukrainian drone attack affecting 14 Russian regions, alongside the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. However, they provided limited details, only asserting that air defenses intercepted 251 Ukrainian drones. This marks one of the largest Ukrainian offensives on Russian territory since the war commenced over three years ago.
Gleb Nikitin, governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, stated that air defenses successfully repelled an assault by 20 Ukrainian drones on a local industrial zone, which includes the ammunition plant, stating no facilities sustained damage.
Ukraine's long-range operations targeting refineries and other oil infrastructures have contributed to fuel shortages in Russia since August. Enhancing the production of domestic weapons, especially drones, remains a primary objective for Ukrainian authorities as they aim to counter Russia's invasion and execute strikes deep within Russian territory. These actions exert military, political, and social pressure on President Vladimir Putin.
Despite Russia's larger national economy and military capacity compared to Ukraine, Kyiv has effectively restricted Russian advancements to slow and costly progress through the Ukrainian countryside, utilizing cutting-edge drone technology as a force multiplier due to its limited manpower.
Faced with uncertain Western military support to counter Russia's invasion, Ukraine has swiftly expanded its defense manufacturing capabilities. It is now sharing its drone expertise with European nations and is in discussions regarding potential technological and production collaborations with the United States.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday that the burgeoning Ukrainian defense industry could commence exporting surplus weaponry by this year’s end. The revenue generated would fund the acquisition of sophisticated systems that Ukraine cannot produce domestically.
By year-end, Ukraine aims to supply at least half of the weaponry required by its front-line troops, Zelenskyy communicated at a defense industry forum in Kyiv.
“Currently, over 40 percent of the weapons utilized at the front are produced within Ukraine or in partnership with Ukraine,” Zelenskyy remarked.
Last year, Ukraine manufactured and delivered 2.4 million shells to the front lines, according to the Ukrainian leader.
Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukraine is currently producing 40 Bohdana self-propelled artillery systems per month, an increase from the 10 units produced in April 2024.
“It is time to initiate the export of our Ukrainian weapons — those in surplus — so that we can fund the acquisition of weapons crucial for defense,” Zelenskyy stated, likely alluding to American-made Patriot air defense systems.
He indicated that Ukraine has secured agreements to begin exporting to Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, with purchases anticipated to start by the end of the year. (AP) SKS SKS
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