**Russia Using Cheaper Drones with Foreign Parts to Overload Ukraine’s Air Defense**
Russian forces are using cheaper drones made with foreign parts to overload Ukraine’s air defense system. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russia is producing the Gerbera drone at a plant in Yelabuga, central Russia.
The Gerbera drone is a less deadly equivalent of Iran’s Shahed and uses simple materials like plywood and foam to keep costs low. However, it contains components from foreign manufacturers such as Analog Devices and Texas Instruments made in the US, NXP Semiconductors from the Netherlands, and XLSEMI from China.
The drones are being used to target Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, depleting Ukraine’s air defense systems. On November 17, Russian forces launched one of the heaviest aerial strikes against Ukraine, targeting the energy grid.
**Russian Drone Production**
Russia has increased production of Shahed-type drones at a factory in Alabuga, where it aims to produce 6,000 units per month. The factory already produces 4,500 drones, with many more being flown alongside official Geran UAVs.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 102 missiles and 42 drones launched by Russia overnight on November 17. Russian forces also reportedly attacked Sumy Oblast with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and a Kh-59 aerial guided missile.
**International Response**
The international community is condemning Russia’s actions, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock calling for the destruction of launch sites directly. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed that a riot control agent known as CS has been used in Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will propose his own peace plan for Ukraine during the G20 talks commencing on November 18, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has “made his position clear” and will not change it.