Moscow ramps up production of millions of drones — not without help from China, which officially “knows nothing” about the cooperation, writes Politico. 

Moscow has gained an advantage in the drone war in Ukraine due to its vast financial resources, production lines located far from the front lines, and especially assistance from Beijing.

Oleh Aleksandrov, a representative of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, says Chinese manufacturers supply Russia with equipment, electronics, navigation, optical, and telemetry systems, engines, microchips, processor modules, antenna systems, and control boards.

“They use so-called shell companies, change names, do everything to avoid being subject to export control and avoid sanctions for their activities,” he explains. 

Officially, China claims to comply with all regulations. But only officially, Aleksandrov adds.

According to him, Russia increased its production of long-range drones from 15,000 in 2024 to over 30,000 this year and aims to produce up to 2 million small tactical drones. 

“They aim to produce about 30,000 long-range drones of those types plus 30,000 false target drones they use to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses in 2025,” he continues. 

As for FPV drones, the Russians intend to manufacture as many as 2 million of them in 2025.

Russia is also increasing its use of fiber-optic drones, which are immune to electronic warfare. Ukrainian forces previously could detect ordinary Russian drones as soon as they took off, but this is much harder with fiber-optic ones.

“So we have to use different acoustic and other means to trace those drones,” said Andrii, the army commander.

Moreover, according to him, the Russians are ramping up not only drone production but also electronic warfare systems. 

Radio frequencies change on his section of the front every two weeks. As a result, when Ukraine supplies drones, only about 20% of them are usable. Constant adjustments cost extra time and money.

Never before have drones with artificial intelligence executed such precise strikes on Russian military airbases as in the operation Web by Ukrainian forces, writes Clash Report. 

On 1 June, Ukrainian drones featuring artificial intelligence attacked several Russian military airfields across different regions. Over 40 aircraft were destroyed or damaged, including strategic bombers used by Russia to kill civilians. Unlike previous attacks, the drones did not fly thousands of kilometers from Ukraine. Instead, they were transported in the Russian territory by trucks, then launched into the air for sudden strikes.

“Last year, Ukrainian military intelligence scanned Russian bomber aircraft and trained AI to recognize them and execute automatic dive attack algorithms. Today, we’ve seen the results,” reports Clash Report.

Two types of drones were used — vertical takeoff quadcopters and “wing-type” drones launched from mini catapults.

At the same time, Ukrainian journalist Yurii Butusov emphasizes the uniqueness of the Security Service operation, calling it a historic military textbook case, noting that 41 aircraft were hit across four airbases.

“Some drones attacked using auto-targeting. Results will be confirmed by satellite imagery,” Butusov adds.

According to him, the Security Service smuggled 150 small strike drones and 300 munitions into Russia, 116 of which took off. Control was conducted via Russian telecom networks using auto-targeting.

“The drones attacked from close range during daylight deep in enemy rear areas… the Russians did not expect small quadcopters to strike in daylight,” the journalist says.

The most successful attack was on Olenya airfield, where drones hit fuel tanks, causing a large number of aircraft to burn completely. All Ukrainian agents have returned safely home without losses. 

Two explosions in the early hours of 30 May near Desantnaya Bay in Russia’s Vladivostok were part of a planned operation by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), according to Ukrainian outlets RBC-Ukraine and UNIAN.

Sources say the blasts targeted the 47th Separate Air Assault Battalion of Russia’s 155th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade (Unit No. 30926). One explosion reportedly struck a checkpoint, the other hit an area housing personnel and commanders.

This brigade has been actively involved in combat against Ukraine, including documented deployments in Mariupol, Vuhledar, and Kursk Oblast.

Injuries and equipment losses reported by media

According to the same sources, the attack caused injuries and material damage.

“Personnel, military equipment, and special assets were hit,” the reports quoted unnamed intelligence sources as saying.

Citing local residents, RBC reported that at least ten ambulances and an evacuation helicopter arrived at the scene. Damaged military hardware was reportedly removed from the site using Russian military URAL trucks.

Russian media report explosions in Russian Vladivostok in the area of a marine training ground.

It is reported that the road in the area of the incident was blocked, eyewitnesses reported a helicopter flying over the site. Special and emergency services arrived at the scene, and… pic.twitter.com/QUYtRbXumo

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) May 30, 2025

Russian officials: Gas leak caused the blasts

Russian authorities confirmed two explosions but denied any casualties or damage. The Anti-Terrorism Commission of Primorsky Krai attributed the incident to the ignition of gas cylinders.

Emergency services cordoned off the area, and traffic between Shamora Bay and the village of Shchitovaya was partially restricted.

“The threat has been neutralized,” officials stated.

Tightened security and conflicting accounts

Local media and Telegram channels, including VChK-OGPU and Vladivostok1.ru, reported heavy police and military presence in the area. Roads were blocked, vehicles inspected, and helicopters were seen flying before the blasts.

Witnesses described the removal of large, tarp-covered objects—possibly military vehicles—under guard. The Telegram channel The True Story reported that the location is used for loading and unloading military equipment for naval deployment.

According to Radio Svoboda, Desantnaya Bay may also house a training ground for the Pacific Fleet’s naval infantry, which has taken part in combat operations against Ukraine.