Putin tasks officials with developing Russia’s drone industry – ISW

This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Analysts write that on April 28, Putin visited a drone manufacturing facility in the Rudnevo industrial park in Moscow. Later, the Russian president took part in a meeting during which he emphasized the importance of developing UAV production in the country.

He also referred to the development of the drone industry as "technological sovereignty," and then instructed officials to increase the ability to develop and manufacture UAV components independently. Putin likely suggested that the Kremlin is concerned about its dependence on Iran and other third parties in the drone industry.

Earlier, ISW analysts estimated that Russia wants to avoid a broader economic mobilization that would cause further domestic economic turmoil and corresponding discontent.

"And the Kremlin’s announced plan to increase drone production by a 2030 deadline indicates that the Kremlin is continuing to gradually mobilize specific parts of Russia’s DIB instead of conducting a wider economic mobilization'" the report says.

• On April 27, it became known that competition in the battle for Bakhmut is growing and disagreements between Russian private military companies are sharpening.