Russia establishes UAV forces, aiming to recruit up to 210,000 soldiers by 2030 - Ukraine`s army chief
Photo: Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi (t.me_landforcesofukraine)
Russia has created its own drone forces. Russian forces plan to recruit up to 210,000 servicemen for this new branch of the military by 2030, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reports.
The Commander-in-Chief held the traditional monthly meeting on drones, where they reviewed the results of January 2025. Syrskyi emphasized the need to improve cooperation between drone forces and other units and also listened to reports from brigades and battalions.
In January, 66% of Russian equipment was disabled due to the strikes from various types of attack UAVs. Overall, drones hit or destroyed 7% more targets than in December.
The largest share of hits (49%) came from FPV drones. Leading in this area were the drone units of the 46th Airborne, 3rd Assault, and 80th Air Assault Brigades.
Syrskyi was also briefed on the reorganization of regiments into brigades, the expansion of the drone component in mechanized brigades, as well as new electronic warfare systems and their compatibility with UAVs.
Special attention was paid to a report from the J2 (intelligence) on the formation of a new military branch by Russia – unmanned systems forces.
"We know the enemy's intentions and specific plans, which foresee 210,000 personnel in drone forces by 2030, spread across 277 military units and subunits," said the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Drones for Ukrainian Armed Forces
Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has ramped up the production of domestic drones. Ukrainian companies produce both regular drones, as well as reconnaissance and strike UAVs.
For example, during the war, Ukraine created a fleet of maritime drones, which have been destroying Russian ships.
In addition, long-range drones have been developed in Ukraine, which are used by Ukrainian defenders to attack targets on Russian territory. According to the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, Ukrainian drones can cover distances of up to 1,800 km.
Recently, the Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed the use of drones capable of carrying FAB-250 bombs and covering distances of up to 2,000 km with the ability to return.
