Ukraine is preparing to target key defense industry facilities across Russian territory. According to military expert Yevgeny Diky, speaking on “Radio NV,” Ukraine has identified and ranked these facilities based on their critical importance to Russia’s military efforts. This comprehensive list includes some of the most crucial and irreplaceable sites for Russian military production.
Diky explained that Ukraine’s strategy is methodical, ranking each target based on its significance to the Russian war machine, technical capabilities, and weather conditions. He emphasized that the decision-making process is highly organised, similar to a production plan, ensuring that each strike is carefully timed and executed.
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London published a report in 2024, detailing the Russian defense industry’s workforce and its scale. By early 2024, Russia’s defense industry complex employed approximately 4.5 million people, with a significant portion working in state-run facilities. The report revealed that Russia’s defense industry is heavily reliant on state-owned companies, with 977 out of 1,400 defense companies managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This includes important corporations such as Rostec, which is responsible for fulfilling 40% of Russia’s defense orders.
In addition, Russia’s wartime economy, which was mobilised in 2022, has expanded its workforce by incorporating university students, technical school graduates, and prisoners. As of May 2024, approximately 34,000 prisoners were involved in forced labour within Russia’s defense industry, with plans to increase this number to 80,000 by 2025. This use of unpaid or low-paid labour has been a significant cost-saving measure for Russia’s military production efforts.
