Russia is building the foundation of a domestic drone industry—starting in classrooms and factories...and soon headed for the frontlines. OSINT investigator & investigative journalist Linus Höller has a great piece outlining the country’s ambitions to become a global drone superpower by 2030 with a sweeping, state-backed campaign to dominate unmanned warfare. The initiative is backed by billions of rubles—spanning every layer of society—from subsidizing nearly 900 drone startups (70% of which are small businesses) to funding mega-factories like the Yelabuga plant—possibly the largest drone production site in the world. . Despite sanctions, Russia still remains dependent on Chinese parts for its drone capability—though it’s aggressively pursuing “import substitution” to cut off these vulnerabilities. North Korean labor is also helping to boost mass production. . In addition, Russian schoolchildren are now being trained in drone engineering under the guise of civilian applications, thoug...