In brief

• Presidential adviser Serhii Beskrestnov estimates Russia produces up to 3,000 jet-powered Shahed-type drones a month; the figure is not independently verified.
• He says Russia makes up to 700 Geran-5 drones monthly and is trying to build a winter reserve.
• Beskrestnov says Russia already uses AI on strike drones and that street lighting helps them at night.
• A jet-powered drone strike on a commuter train at Dnipro killed 14 people, and Ukrzaliznytsia is reviewing its security protocols.

Production estimate

Serhii Beskrestnov, who advises the president on defence technology and goes by the call sign "Flash", told journalists on October 29 that Russia manufactures up to 3,000 jet-powered Shahed-type drones a month (рф щомісяця виробляє до 3 000 реактивних "Шахедів" - "Флеш" | УНН – unn.ua). The figure is his own estimate and has not been independently verified. He said the Geran-5 is a separate type, of which Russia produces up to 700 a month (Росія виробляє до 3 тисяч реактивних дронів на місяць — радник президента Бескрестнов – Suspilne).

• Jet-powered Shahed-type drones: up to 3,000 per month, according to Beskrestnov
• Geran-5: up to 700 per month, according to Beskrestnov

Winter stockpile

Beskrestnov said the pace of drone use suggests Russia is trying to build a reserve for attacks on Ukraine in winter, but that Moscow does not hold large stocks. He said production dates on Shahed wreckage show drones are launched almost directly from the factory, roughly a week after being made.

Fewer attacks on Kyiv

Beskrestnov rejected the suggestion that a recent decline in strikes on Kyiv signals production problems. In his account, Russian forces have shifted attacks toward western and other regions after earlier mass strikes on the capital, which is why Kyiv has been quieter.

Artificial intelligence and lighting

Beskrestnov also said Russia already uses artificial intelligence in its weapons, including strike drones (Росія використовує ШІ на ударних дронах — радник президента Бескрестнов – Suspilne). He said Russian drones use optics for mapping and that street lighting helps them at night, and he argued that blackout measures should return in Ukraine.

Train strike in Dnipro

A jet-powered drone hit a commuter train on the Dnipro–Zaporizhzhia route at Dnipro station, killing 14 people (УЗ перегляне протоколи безпеки після удару дрона по поїзді у Дніпрі – Suspilne). Ukrzaliznytsia said it will again review its security protocols and called stations, platforms and trains priority targets for the enemy. It urged passengers to follow safety instructions and move to shelter during air raid alerts.