RF was preparing for an escalation of strikes on Ukraine. In particular, in July, Russian troops launched 153 cruise and 198 ballistic and hypersonic missiles and are unlikely to pause shelling, as the MICMilitary-industrial complex. is fulfilling its arms production plan.
This was stated in an interview with «RBC-Ukraine» by the Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (GUR MO), Major General Vadym Skibitskyi.
According to him, in July, Russians launched the largest number of ballistic missiles at Ukraine since the beginning of this year, 2026.
«What is this connected with? First of all, with the fact that they were preparing for it. According to military intelligence, the indicators of missile armament use by the Russians began to grow back in April. In April, there were 61 ballistic missiles, in May — 107, in June — 134. Do you remember, before they carried out attacks every ten days? Then — once a week. Now — even more often. Everything depends on the quantity of produced armaments,» said the Major General.
Skibitskyi noted that according to intelligence data for 7 months of 2026, as of August 3, the Russian MIC has already produced 33 Zircon hypersonic missiles and 60 modernized Onyx anti-ship missiles. Both means of destruction fly along a ballistic trajectory.
«Overall, for the main types of missile armament, their monthly plan fulfillment is currently at the level of 110-120%. According to the GUR MO of Ukraine, the production plan for Kh-101 in July was fulfilled by 140%, for Kalibrs — by 111%, for the Kh-35 cruise missile — by 200%. The production plan for August for Kh-101 is 72 units, in July the figures were the same, but they produced more — 87 missiles. Regarding Kalibrs: the plan for August is 26 units, in July they planned the same, but produced 29,» said the intelligence officer.
However, at the same time, according to him, due to «technical problems», the RF is currently involving aviation less for cruise missile strikes, as, supposedly, «not all missiles are launched correctly at the moment of launch».
About the production of new drones
The Major General says that by the end of August 2026, the RF plans to produce 11 thousand attack UAVs of various types. Currently, Russians are reconfiguring production with an emphasis on the turbojet Geran-4 and Geran-5.
«In July, they slightly reduced the intensity of drone strikes and decreased the production volume, as they are reconfiguring production with an emphasis on the turbojet Geran-4 and Geran-5. In one of the recent attacks, 50% were already turbojet drones. Now, for them, we need different interceptors with appropriate speed or small air defense,» he said.
Answering the question of whether Iran continues to help the Russian MIC with technologies and components, Skibitskyi noted that this is happening partially.
«It is no longer the same level of cooperation as it was in 2022-2023. Today, Russia is already capable of producing both FPV drones and attack drones on its own. Moreover, they have moved forward, they have different warheads, they have 12-, 16-channel Kometas, CRP antennas,» he added.
About the targets of Russian attacks
According to the intelligence officer, the RF is concentrating its attacks on the Ukrainian defense industry, logistics, and energy facilities. In addition, Russian troops are trying to hit civilian infrastructure as well.
Skibitskyi noted that besides the defense industry, other Russian priorities are strikes on logistics and energy.
«To speak more broadly — it is our critical infrastructure. In winter, it is electricity and heating systems. Now — it is, firstly, the defense industry. Secondly — it is logistics: railways, port infrastructure, and shipping,» he said.
On August 8, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine already has specific agreements with the United States regarding monthly supplies of missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Source: suspilne.media