Ukrainian intel: most Russian defense industry enterprises located over 750 km from Ukraine’s border

Deputy Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine Vadym Skibitskyi reported this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“Most of the major enterprises of the Russian defense industry are located 750 km or farther from our border. Only 25% are located 250–500 km away,” Skibitskyi noted.

When asked whether Russia is relocating such enterprises further from Ukraine’s border, he explained that this has not been observed, but new facilities are indeed being constructed much farther away — 1,500–2,000 km from Ukraine.

“We do not see a large-scale relocation of enterprises; rather, we observe the creation of new ones 1,500–2,000 km from our border. There are many of them, and our deep strikes are needed to halt or disrupt their production processes,” he said.

He explained that destroying Russian defense industry enterprises requires new approaches.

“It is necessary to identify the most critical enterprises and the most critical elements within them in order to destroy them effectively. This is because there is extensive industrial cooperation – a single type of weapon can involve more than 100 enterprises. This is similar to the Soviet model.,” Skibitskyi explained.

In addition, the enemy is aware of the vulnerability of its defense industry to Ukrainian drone strikes and is therefore strengthening air defense and electronic warfare systems.

“Overall, they are now trying to create a strong system to counter our drones and missiles. This is a comprehensive program, which includes creating units and new countermeasure systems. According to our data, in September, they are going to test seven unmanned systems designed to counter our strikes. These include anti-drone systems of quadcopter and aircraft types to protect their facilities and defense-industrial enterprises,” Skibitskyi noted.

In his view, Ukraine needs not only UAV systems but also missile systems, since missiles cause the greatest damage.

“The greatest damage comes from missile weapons, due to larger warheads and greater precision. Here, assistance from our partners and the development of our own programs, particularly missile programs, is critically important,” Skibitskyi emphasized.

As reported by Ukrinform, according to Skibitskyi, the Russians are improving missile weapons, UAVs, and are preparing to launch combined strikes on Ukraine.