Can Ukraine cut Russia's jet drones off from their Chinese engines?
Timeline for Vadym Skibitsky
Mentioned in: Russia rings Alabuga with air defences
Drones: Industry & DefenceBackground
Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), stated in August 2026 that Russia lacks a domestic turbojet, leaving its jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 attack drones dependent on Chinese engines. Those drones come from Alabuga in Tatarstan, now guarded by 33 or more air-defence sites visible in October satellite imagery.
A major general, Skibitsky gave several 2026 statements on Russia's drone industry. In an interview published on 10 August he said Russia planned to produce 11,000 attack drones that month. On 14 September he said Russia was struggling to obtain Chinese jet engines, which he put down to action by Ukraine and its partners.
His statements are among the few official Ukrainian estimates of Russian drone output and of its Reliance on Chinese parts. Jet Gerans made up about half of Russia's nightly launches at Ukraine on the nights to 20-22 October.
Who is Vadym Skibitsky?
Where do Russia's jet Geran drones get their engines?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.