Ukraine war: Russia's weapons production 'becoming a critical weakness'

The Russian state's weapon production is becoming "a critical weakness" for Moscow, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

In its latest defence intelligence update, the MOD said senior Russian leaders are "likely aware" of the issue, which is being "exacerbated by the strategic and operational miscalculation of invading Ukraine".

"Production is almost certainly falling short of the Russian MOD's demands to resource the Ukraine campaign and restore its longer-term defence requirements," the MOD said.

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"On 09 February 2023, Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev called for an increase in Russian tank production while visiting the Omsk Transport Machine Construction plant.

"This follows several public comments by President Putin urging the defence industry to better support the ’special military operation'.

"In a televised meeting on 12 January 2023, Putin castigated Denis Manturov, the deputy prime minister with responsibility for the defence industry, for 'fooling around'; one of the president's strongest public outbursts since the invasion."

It comes after the MOD said Russian troops and Wagner Group forces were making small advances in Ukraine, but but nothing to significantly advance Russian progress.

Nato defence ministers are currently meeting in Brussels, where the alliance's support for Ukraine is expected to be top of the agenda.

Arriving at the summit, Ukraine's defence minister made an unusual appeal for military aid by holding up a napkin appearing to show to fighter jets.