Amid its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Russia has announced plans to establish a specialized military unit focused on unmanned aerial system operations. This new strategy was revealed by President Vladimir Putin, who stated that the formation of this unit would occur “as soon as possible” to effectively address emerging threats on the battlefield.
The newly proposed command aims to include separate troops distinct from Moscow’s existing drone operators and is designed to implement “new approaches and non-standard solutions.” These tactics will be informed by lessons learned during the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, where there have been numerous skirmishes involving autonomous platforms.
In this context, Putin articulated the necessity for a comprehensive state arms program that encompasses a universal air defense system, one that can adapt to various scenarios and effectively neutralize air attack capabilities, regardless of their type. This was reported by the Russian news outlet TASS.
If mobilized, this segment of the Russian military is anticipated to bolster the broader national strategy introduced last year. The goal is to establish “Unmanned Systems Forces” by the third quarter of 2025 and to significantly increase the annual production of unmanned aerial systems to triple that by 2030.
Putin’s announcement follows a major drone strike conducted by Ukraine, which resulted in the destruction of bomber aircraft within Russian territory earlier in June. Kyiv reported that the operation inflicted approximately $7 billion in damages across multiple locations and injured over 60 individuals. This drone attack was significant for its unexpected approach, utilizing drones concealed in shipping containers destined for Russia. Ukrainian officials indicated that meticulous planning for this operation stretched over three years, coinciding with stalled ceasefire negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to address their prolonged conflict.
In a further indication of cooperation between Russia and North Korea, just days prior to announcing the drone force initiative, Moscow expressed its intent to assist Pyongyang in producing Iranian-designed Shahed suicide drones. These munitions have been actively employed by Russian forces in their autonomous operations against Ukraine. The arrangement appears to be a response to North Korea’s support for Russia, which includes providing troops and resources in the ongoing conflict.
Currently, reports indicate that Russia possesses the capacity to manufacture up to 2,000 Shahed drones monthly, with plans in place to ramp production up to 5,000 units in the near future. The integration of North Korean support and the upcoming focus on unmanned systems highlight the escalating nature of military engagements in the region.
