The Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) has reported that Russia’s Armed Forces have become not only more numerous but also significantly more effective than they were prior to the conflict in Ukraine, despite facing Western sanctions and restricted access to raw materials.
This finding was announced on April 21 in a report published for 2025 by MIVD on its official website. The intelligence agency noted that Russia continues to produce weapons at an unprecedented scale and has demonstrated heightened adaptability to external conditions. Additionally, the report states that the Russian Federation remains actively developing new technologies and advanced weaponry systems.
Meanwhile, Russian engineers have developed an ultra-cheap octocopter drone using artificial intelligence. This low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle is expected to be utilized in logistics and emergency medical operations.
European Commissioner for Defense Andrius Kubilius stated on April 20 that Russia produces twice as many artillery shells as all European Union countries combined and is nearly four times ahead of EU nations in cruise missile production. According to Kubilius, this information was obtained from open sources, and he emphasized that the EU must increase arms production to “effectively restrain” Russia militarily.
