THREAD:🧵
Partners in Crime: Russian and Chinese cooperation in drone production and sanction evasion.
Our latest investigation in the series on Russian Drone operations.
The fact Russia uses third parties to avoid sanctions when acquiring drones is not a new phenomenon, however, a pertinent example in this area is the rapid rise of Aero-HIT, a previously obscure Russian drone manufacturer headquartered in Khabarovsk, near the Chinese border.
Aero-HIT has evolved into a key supplier of tactical drones for Russian forces operating in occupied Ukraine. The company secured Russian state funding with ambitious plans to produce 10,000 drones per month in 2025, including sophisticated variants beyond its current models.
Breaking:
Russia's casualty processing disaster.
Facilities geolocated @GeoConfirmed
A thread:🧵
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian military has suffered enormous losses, far beyond the level initially imagined by the Kremlin. The dreams of a three-day victory, with many soldiers arriving in dress uniform to crowds of celebrating Ukrainians, couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, Russian casualties have gone so far beyond the realm of anticipated combat losses, that the running total is almost hard to comprehend. Ukrainian sources indicate that Russian casualties, both dead and wounded, have now surpassed 850,000 - with Russia losing more than 1000 soldiers a day on multiple occasions. In October 2024, the bloodiest month of the invasion so far, Russia averaged over 1500 soldiers killed, per day.
Igor Girkin, a former 🇷🇺intelligence colonel & commander of separatist forces in 🇺🇦, will be offering his analysis of Putin & Shoigu's speeches on state TV.
Until now, Girkin was not allowed to feature on state media. His inclusion demonstrates a radical shift in 🇷🇺's narrative.