In an interview published Sunday by LB.Ua, Syrskyi said Russia currently produces about 404 Shahed drones daily but is planning a major increase to expand its long-range strike capability. "The enemy plans to significantly increase production to use up to 1,000 drones per day,” he said.

The drones, which Moscow produces under the names Geran-1, Geran-2, and decoy Gerberas, are modeled on Iranian loitering munitions. They are used in long-range attacks against Ukraine, often deployed in large numbers during nighttime raids. Syrskyi did not specify how many of the drones were decoys or strike variants.

Russia has generally deployed 5,000 to 6,000 Shaheds per month against Ukraine, though production and use have fluctuated. Analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security found that Russia launched an average of 166 Shaheds per day in December 2025, but occasionally stockpiles drones for larger, concentrated attacks.

Shahed drones are relatively inexpensive, with costs estimated between $20,000 and $70,000 each, allowing Russia to scale its strikes more efficiently than with conventional missiles. Moscow has also been experimenting with new modifications, including arming drones with air-to-air missiles or adding rear-facing cameras.

Ukraine has responded by seeking lower-cost complements for its air defenses, including small interceptor drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently acknowledged a temporary shortage of missiles for Western-supplied air defense systems, saying the country has since replenished its stock.

Syrskyi added that Ukraine and Russia now produce drones in roughly equal numbers, but Ukraine maintains an edge in the quality of conventional drones. He noted that in advanced technologies, such as fiber-optic guidance, Ukraine is still catching up.

Experts say that if Russia succeeds in reaching a daily production of 1,000 Shahed-type drones, it would mark a significant escalation in the conflict and increase the pressure on Ukraine’s air defenses. The move underscores Moscow’s ongoing investment in low-cost, high-volume unmanned strike capabilities as the war enters its fourth year.