Russia establishes specialized force for unmanned aerial vehicles

On November 12, Russia announced the establishment of an unmanned systems force specializing in combat using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marking the birth of a new branch in the country's military.

Russian unmanned aerial vehicle operating system. Illustration photo: Anadolu Agency

“The Unmanned Systems Force has been created in the Russian Armed Forces,” Colonel Sergey Ishtuganov, deputy commander of the new force, said in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda.

According to Mr. Ishtuganov, the organizational structure of the new military branch has been determined and its head has been appointed, but he did not disclose further details.

He added that military administrative units, combat regiments and many other units have been formed. “Combat operations of unmanned systems units are carried out according to a unified plan and in close coordination with other units in the army groups,” he said, stressing that the expansion of existing units and the creation of new ones are underway.

According to General Ishtuganov, specialists are being trained at various institutions, including schools under the Defense Ministry and military training centers affiliated to civilian universities.
“However, we are also promoting the establishment of a high-level military educational institution dedicated to the Unmanned Systems Force,” he added.

Previously, in June, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned at a meeting in Moscow that Russia was moving towards establishing an independent unmanned systems force as a separate branch of the Armed Forces.

UAVs have played a key role in the war in Ukraine, which continues despite US President Donald Trump’s mediation efforts. UAVs are seen as a game-changer on the battlefield, helping to reshape the way modern warfare is conducted.

From reconnaissance, fire adjustment, direct attack to psychological warfare, UAVs have proven to be an indispensable tool in the military strategies of both Russia and Ukraine.

In June 2024, Ukraine became the first country to establish the Unmanned Systems Force as a separate branch of the military, dedicated to using UAVs in combat operations.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/nga-thanh-lap-luc-luong-chuyen-trach-thiet-bi-bay-khong-nguoi-lai-402492.html