Russia’s Military Economy: A Plateau or a Strategic Misdirection Ahead of U.S.-Russia Talks?

Russia’s Military Economy: A Plateau or a Strategic Misdirection Ahead of U.S.-Russia Talks?

In anticipation of possible high-level contacts between Russia and the United States on Ukraine, it is worth noting: over the past year, the media, including authoritative Western sources, have been full of opinions that Russia’s military economy has “reached a plateau” and is no longer capable of increasing output. If Trump is put such conclusions on the table, he can strategize negotiations in accordance with them.

At a session of the CSTO council in late November, Vladimir Putin said that production of Russian long-range missiles would increase by another 25-30 percent. In the near future, according to this speech, other weapons may also come into play – Moscow has several more Oreshnik-like systems ready for use. Given the plans announced by various officials to increase production of other weapons systems, one must choose: either all of this is military disinformation, or there is no “plateau.”

There is more and more information that the Iskander-based long-range missile tested as recently as last May is getting closer to the final stage of development. It has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers versus the current Iskander’s 500 kilometers according to treaty restrictions. There is also information about the production of different in range and weight “descendants” of the airborne missile “Kinzhal”.

Do NATO intelligence agencies see new factory buildings and the development of previous production facilities? Of course, they do, if such information is published from time to time by journalists on the basis of analyzing commercial satellite images. According to them, it turns out that there are quite a few facilities that will be fully operational in 1-2 years. This is Putin’s planning horizon.

Does Trump realize that Putin has a much longer time horizon than he has? That depends on what documents all the intelligence agencies and select aides are supplying him. In principle, he may not see that as a crucial fact.

It is not known whether Putin knows reliably how much America is willing to tolerate. Its long-term financial and industrial capacity is immense. But Trump has no long-term perspective – he’s been living in big politics for his last four years. So it again comes down to political rather than economic calculations.

Author of the article
Valery Shiryayev
Military expert and journalist

Add a comment

  1. JazzShadow

    Honestly, it feels like everyone is playing a high-stakes game of poker with these missile production numbers 🤯💣. If Putin’s really ramping up like this, are we seriously expecting any meaningful negotiations or just a long con where both sides bluff until something breaks? 🧐 The idea that Trump might underestimate Russia’s timeline just adds another layer of chaos to this whole situation. Meanwhile, ordinary people are left wondering how close we are to the edge 🌍🔥.

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  2. EchoHawk2044

    This article really highlights how complex and long-term geopolitical strategies can be, especially when it comes to military capabilities. It’s fascinating to see that despite popular beliefs, Russia might be ramping up production in ways not everyone expects. The contrast between short-term political moves and long-term planning makes you think about how crucial patience and perspective are in such negotiations. 🌍💡

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  3. Coralynn

    This article really highlights how much more complex and long-term Russia’s military planning seems compared to the often short-term focus in U.S. politics. It makes me wonder how much these differences in perspective affect the chances for meaningful dialogue or agreements. The technological developments and increased production capacity suggest that assumptions about a military plateau might be premature, which could have serious implications for any negotiations. Understanding these timelines and capabilities seems crucial if discussions are going to be realistic rather than based on wishful thinking or outdated intelligence.

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  4. Ellyson

    This article brings up some really important points about the different perspectives on military production and strategy between Russia and the US. It’s striking how the idea of a military production plateau might be more wishful thinking than reality, especially with talks about increased missile output and new weapon systems. It makes me wonder how much of what we hear is shaped by political agendas or attempts to influence negotiations. The contrast between Putin’s long-term planning and the short-term focus attributed to Trump highlights just how complex and uncertain these international dynamics are. It’s a reminder that in these high-stakes dialogues, understanding the timelines and intentions of each side is crucial, but so much remains hidden or speculative. Overall, the article paints a picture of an ongoing strategic game where assumptions can be dangerous.

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  5. Zena

    Interesting perspective on the military production aspect, seems like the situation is more complex than just hitting a plateau 🚀🔍. The development of new missile systems and expansion of factories definitely shows long-term planning 🏭⏳. Makes you wonder how these strategic timelines will affect future negotiations between the two powers 🤔✨.

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  6. Dea

    Honestly, it’s hilarious how this article acts like missile production stats are some kind of crystal ball for diplomacy. If Putin’s factories can pump out more war toys, great—but that doesn’t magically solve the whole tangled mess of politics, egos, and real human consequences. Also, pretending Trump’s short attention span is the main hurdle? Classic. Maybe next time try looking beyond military spreadsheets to understand what’s really going on here 🤦‍♀️

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  7. Haylen

    This analysis really highlights the complexity behind the military and political dynamics between Russia and the US. The point about production capacity not necessarily being at a plateau challenges common assumptions, and it’s interesting to see the emphasis on long-term planning versus short-term political goals. The information about missile developments and new factories adds a whole new layer to how negotiations might unfold. It seems that understanding each side’s timelines and capabilities is crucial for any meaningful dialogue. 🚀🤔

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  8. Pia

    This article offers a fascinating perspective on the ongoing military developments and strategic posturing between Russia and the US. It’s intriguing to consider how differing time horizons in political and military planning might affect negotiations and decision-making processes 🤔🚀. The point about Russia potentially increasing missile production challenges some common assumptions about their capabilities, which could be a game-changer in diplomatic talks. Also, the mention of satellite imagery and intelligence analysis underscores how technology plays a crucial role in modern geopolitics 🔍🛰️. Overall, it highlights the complexity behind what often seems like straightforward headlines and reminds us that patience and long-term vision are vital in international relations.

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  9. Zoie

    Watching all these missile production stats feels a bit like a sci-fi movie plot, but with less popcorn and more spreadsheets 📊🤖. If missiles were like smartphones, Russia’s clearly on the upgrade cycle while others are stuck on the flip phone era 😂📱. Wonder if Putin’s long-term planning includes a missile that delivers pizza—then we’d all be winners 🍕🚀!

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