Key Takeaways:
– Russian engineers in a secret factory are producing decoy drones and thermobaric weapons
– These thermobaric warheads are capable of causing devastating injuries due to their high pressure and heat
– Decoys now make up more than half of the drones targeting Ukraine
– Russia continued to ramp up its drone attacks on Ukraine, even after the re-election of Donald Trump raised questions about U.S. support for Ukraine
– Despite sanctions, Russia is still able to source parts for the drones, largely from China
Ukraine is Facing a New Kind of Threat
The silent depths of central Russia bear a grim secret. A factory hidden in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone is manufacturing a new and terrifying weapon, and it’s being used against Ukraine. Engineers are creating hundreds of decoy drones intended to confuse and overwhelm Ukrainian defenses. Additionally, the plant has begun to produce thermobaric drones, designed to cause untold devastation beyond an initial blast site.
The Arrival of Thermobaric Drones
These thermobaric warheads are a formidable and horrific force. They operate by creating a vortex of high pressure and heat able to cut through thick walls and asphyxiating anyone in their path by sucking out all available oxygen. Their gruesome effect goes beyond the immediate blast, causing collapsed lungs, crushed eyeballs, and permanent brain damage.
Decoy Drones: A Devious Strategy
This devious strategy, codenamed ‘Operation False Target,’ was developed in late 2022. The plan entails launching a mix of armed drones and decoys that appear identical on radar screens, forcing Ukrainian forces to make split-second decisions on where to focus their limited resources. These decoys have flooded Ukraine’s skies over the past few weeks, posing a constant and terrifying threat.
The Changing Face of the Drone
As the conflict evolves, so does Russia’s strategy. Now, more powerful missiles are often unleashed as air defenses are weakened by the onslaught of drones. Ballistic and cruise missiles, capable of achieving speeds significantly faster than the drones, pose a severe threat. Even decoys contribute a tactical advantage by allowing Russia to geolocate Ukraine’s air defenses and transmit the details back to Moscow.
The Behind-the-Scenes Role of Factory Alabuga
Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone, located approximately 1,000 kilometers east of Moscow, is where these terrifying weapons are being manufactured. While boasting of being an innovation hub on social media, the factory’s true role is to produce and sell drones to Russia’s Ministry of Defense. The production ramped up after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the complex began to specialize in military production.
Bypassing Sanctions and Building Drones
Despite nearly three years of sanctions, Moscow is still finding ways to source parts – primarily from China and through third countries in Central Asia and the Middle East. The components for the drones, a blend of Chinese and Western imports, are essentially what keeps the drones airborne. The illegal movement of Western technology to Russia was called out in a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who stated that the influx of drones was possible due to these slips in sanction enforcement.
Cost-Effective Warfare: Deploying Decoys
It appears that Russia’s deployment of decoys is not just a cunning strategy, but a cost-effective one at that. The joint manufacturing process of armed drones and decoys saves money for Russia’s military. The factory now pumps out about 40 of the cheaper, unarmed drones a day and around 10 of the armed ones, the latter costing an estimated $50,000 each and requiring more time to produce.
The Science and Terror of Thermobaric Weapons
From a military perspective, thermobaric weapons are perfect for targeting enemies in fortified buildings or underground locations. However, their devastating effects on civilian populations can’t be ignored. They have instilled massive fear due to their extensive destructiveness. This fear, along with their physical impact, makes thermobaric weapons truly horrendous.
The Penetrating Fear for Ukrainians
For Ukrainians, the drone swarms have become a demoralizing part of life. Night after night, sharpshooters leap into action to down the drones with portable surface-to-air missiles. But the fear persists, as the possibility of a drone deviating and ending up in a residential area where the damage will be simply terrifying is a reality. As the conflict escalates, the omnipresent drone menace continues to fuel fear and uncertainty among the Ukrainian people.