Russia Orders Increased Arms Production As Kyiv Continues Drone Strikes

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed an order to Russian arms manufacturers to increase production and speed up deliveries to the front line in anticipation of Ukraine recieving more US-made weapons in the near future.

• Reuters: "Shoigu[...] said industrial enterprises had been ordered to reduce production time while repair units at the front, in Ukraine's east and south, and at the rear had been told to improve their efficiency."
• As noted by our Commodities service earlier (see 0829BST bullet), Ukraine has continued its plan of hitting Russian hydrocarbons infrastructure with drones and missiles, with the Ryazan refinery hit once again overnight.
• With Ukraine set to recieve a sizeable boost in its military arsenal (following the passage of the USD60bn military aid package for Ukraine in the US Congress), Russia ramping up production, and summer approaching, the battle on the frontline could become even more intense over the coming weeks and months.
• This is set to be mirrored in the missile/drone war, with Russia continuing to strike towns and cities deep within Ukraine, while Kyiv focuses its efforts on long-range attacks intended to disrupt the Russian war effort. WSJ reported on 29 Apr that "The strikes aim to squeeze fuel supplies to the Russian military and deprive Moscow of export revenues to fund the war. By bringing the war home to Russia, Kyiv could also compel Moscow to redeploy air-defense systems away from the front lines."

Ukraine Strikes Refinery Deep Within Russian Territory