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Russia shows no intention of de-escalation in 2026 and is instead accelerating weapons production and frontline activity, according to the Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi. He said Moscow is planning to increase its drone output dramatically and continues to intensify combat operations.

The army chief’s warnings come as Russia continues daily attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure using missiles and Shahed-type drones. These strikes have triggered the longest-running energy crisis in Kyiv, and caused more outages and other areas of Ukraine as temperatures hold at -15°C. Meanwhile, the US under President Donald Trump continues to push for Kyiv-Moscow peace negotiations.

Syrskyi: Russia ramps up drone and missile production, no signs of peace

In an interview with LB.live published on 18 January, Syrskyi said Russia aims to scale its long-range drone production in 2026 to enable the use of up to 1000 drones per day. This includes various types of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which Russia designates as Geran.

“Right now, the enemy, for example, produces 404 Shaheds, well, various types of Gerans. It plans to increase that,” Syrskyi said, noting that the Kremlin plans to increase that figure significantly. When asked for clarification, he confirmed that Russia’s goal is to use up to 1000 drones daily in 2026.

Syrskyi stressed that Ukraine must act to disrupt those plans: 

“Of course, we must do everything to disrupt these plans. And inflict such losses on the enemy that it will abandon its active operations and create conditions for negotiations.”

Russia gears for escalation, not peace talks, says Ukraine

The Ukrainian commander added that there are no indications that Russia is preparing for peace negotiations. On the contrary, Syrskyi said Ukrainian intelligence observes an increase in the intensity of combat activity and the growing size of Russian offensive formations.

“We see the enemy’s actions and we don’t see any signs that they are preparing for any peace negotiations or initiatives or actions on the battlefield. On the contrary, we see increased intensity of combat activity and the build-up of the enemy’s offensive formations,” he stated.

He also pointed out that Russia is expanding the production of offensive weapon types, including missiles and drones.

Read also

• Russia continues daily strikes on Kyiv’s power infrastructure as –15°C frosts persist

• Syrskyi: Ukraine reduced military casualties by 13% in 2025

• Russia launches 150+ drones at Ukraine’s power grid during freezing night, most shot down

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