Up to 2,000 drones at once: German General Freuding predicts future Russian strikes on Ukraine
The head of the Planning and Command Staff of the German Federal Ministry of Defense and chief of the Operational Staff for Ukraine, Major General Christian Freuding, stated that Russia is preparing for large-scale attacks on Ukraine using up to 2,000 drones simultaneously — a move that could pose a serious challenge to Ukraine’s air defense system
He said this during the Bundeswehr podcast Nachgefragt.
According to him, Moscow is ramping up its capacity to mass-produce drones. Freuding said these tactics will pose a serious threat to Ukrainian air defenses.
He pointed out that using expensive missiles, especially Patriot systems, makes little sense against cheap Shahed-type kamikaze drones, which cost 30–50 thousand euros, compared to over 5 million euros for a single missile.
The general stressed that Ukraine needs cheaper defense systems, in the 2,000–4,000 euro range, to effectively counter large-scale drone attacks.
He also listed strikes on Russian rear targets, such as airfields, defense plants, and aircraft, as a possible response.
In addition, Freuding noted that China has stopped supplying drone components to Ukraine and has fully redirected its exports in this sector to Russia.
"Right now, China is basically exporting only to Russia, while Ukraine is shut out of the market," the Bundeswehr official said.
- On the evening of Saturday, July 19, Russian occupation forces launched drone strikes across Ukraine. Three people were injured in the Zaporizhzhia region.
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