Russia beefs up domestic military production to replenish arsenal depleted in Ukraine war.

Trying to address its dwindling weapons arsenal amid the conflict in Ukraine, Russia is engaged in covert negotiations to repurchase military technology it had previously sold to other nations.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the second-largest supplier of military equipment globally (after the U.S.), Russia is intensifying its domestic military production efforts to replenish resources depleted in the ongoing war against its western neighbor. 

The report disclosed that Russia has initiated talks with several allies, including Egypt, Belarus, Brazil, and Pakistan, seeking the return of military equipment. Unnamed sources familiar with the discussions revealed that Egypt has agreed to discreetly return 150 helicopter engines, with their anticipated arrival within a month (in December).

Russia's requests also extended to four engines from Pakistan, six from Belarus, and 12 from Brazil.

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While Pakistan denied being approached, Belarus acknowledged the request and agreed to send the equipment back. A Brazilian official stated that their country had declined the proposal. The authenticity of these reports remains unverified, and the Russian Ministry of Defense does not respond to inquiries related to what it calls “special military operation.”

Egypt is said to be trying both to please Russia and to avoid a diplomatic spat with the United States.

It is traditionally a significant customer for Russian weapons, having ordered many shipments in the years prior to the aggression of Ukraine.

Earlier attempts for a secret deal involving 40,000 rockets with Russia were thwarted due to U.S. pressure, leading Russia to seek helicopter engines from Egypt instead. In return, Russia reportedly offered debt forgiveness and continued shipments of wheat, addressing Egypt's wheat supply challenges, as per a Washington Post report. 

Despite international sanctions, Russia has managed to acquire weapons and components through loopholes and connections with nations like North Korea and Syria, raising concerns about its rapid ammunition production capabilities.

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President Vladimir Putin has also escalated domestic production efforts, redirecting a significant portion of the country's economy toward the war. In the Ural region and Siberia, for example, the Russians began mass production of Iran-designed drones Shahed and their own drones Lancet. 

In its latest drone attack on 25 November Russia fired 75 drones on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces have destroyed or captured between 11,000 and 32,000 pieces of Russian military equipment and weapons since February 2022, according to various Western reports.

The General Staff of Ukraine announced on 26 November that Russia has lost 5,513 tanks, 10,279 armored fighting vehicles, 10,288 vehicles and fuel tanks, 7,874 artillery systems, 907 multiple launch rocket systems, 597 air defense systems, 323 airplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,901 drones, 22 ships and boats, and one submarine. 

The United Kingdom Defense Ministry claims that since the invasion began, the Russians have lost over 7,117 armored vehicles, which include 2,475 tanks and 1,300 artillery systems. In the air and maritime domains, the UK has estimated Russian losses to include 93 fixed-wing aircraft, 132 helicopters, 320 uncrewed aerial vehicles, and 16 naval vessels of all types.

At least 324,000 Russian soldiers are believed to be killed in the fighting ever since.

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