Russia produces up to 3,000 jet-powered Shahed drones a month, presidential adviser Beskrestnov says

In brief

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

Production figures

Beskrestnov, who advises the president on defense technology and is known as "Flash", said in remarks to journalists on October 29 that, by his estimate, Russia manufactures up to 3,000 jet-powered Shahed-type drones a month (Росія виробляє до 3 тисяч реактивних дронів на місяць — радник президента Бескрестнов – Suspilne) (рф щомісяця виробляє до 3 000 реактивних "Шахедів" - "Флеш" | УНН – unn.ua). The figures come from the adviser and have not been independently verified. The Geran-5 is a separate type, he said, and Russia produces up to 700 of them monthly.

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

Winter stockpiling

Beskrestnov said the rate at which drones are being used suggests Russia is trying to build a reserve for attacks on Ukraine in winter. He added, though, that the enemy does not have large stocks. According to him, debris of Shaheds found in Ukraine carries production dates, and the drones are launched at Ukraine almost straight from the factory, within about a week of being made.

Fewer attacks on Kyiv

The adviser rejected the idea that a recent drop in attacks on Kyiv points to production problems in Russia. In his account, Russian forces have shifted their strikes toward western and other regions of Ukraine, after earlier mass attacks on the capital. That, he said, is why Kyiv has felt somewhat 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 at night street lighting helps them do it. He has argued that Ukraine needs to bring back blackout measures because of the drones.

Recent strikes

A jet-powered drone hit the Dnipro–Zaporizhzhia commuter train at the Dnipro station, killing 14 people, according to Ukrzaliznytsia (УЗ перегляне протоколи безпеки після удару дрона по поїзді у Дніпрі – Suspilne). On October 29 Ukrzaliznytsia said it will review its security protocols again and called stations, platforms and trains priority targets for the enemy. The railway urged passengers to follow safety instructions and move to shelter during air raid alerts.