Russia intends to increase missile production. Analysis of satellite images

Russia intends to increase missile production, warned Fabian Hinz. A scientist from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) identified the complexes based on Russian media reports and declassified documents CIA from the Cold War, listing the plants where the Soviet Union produced solid rocket engines.

These factories are located in the Altai Republic in Siberia, in Rostov in central Russia, near Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in Perm in the west of the country. Satellite images seen by Reuters and taken by Maxar Technologies in July, September and October show that the areas around the buildings in these five complexes have been cleared of vegetation and large new buildings are being built there.

“Satellite imagery shows that all of these efforts are focused on the potential to produce solid-fuel rocket engines,” Hinz wrote in a report published on the IISS Military Balance Plus blog.

A spokesman for the US National Security Council declined to confirm that United States they know about this expansion. However, he announced that the US would introduce additional sanctions on Russian entities and financial institutions to limit Russia's ability to produce defense materials.

According to the assessment of one of the Ukrainian generals in August, from the beginning of the full-scale war with Ukraine Russia fired over 9,600 missiles.

Increasing the production capacity of solid-fuel rocket engines could help the Kremlin meet war-fighting demands without having to rely on external suppliers such as North Koreawhose missiles are unreliable – said Ukrainian officials quoted by Reuters.

Reuters emphasized that solid-fuel rockets are often easier and safer to use than liquid-fuel missiles, especially on the battlefield. They are also cheaper, can be stored longer and require less logistical support.