Russian Unmanned Systems Forces

Russian Unmanned Systems Forces
Active	2025- present
Country	Russia
Branch	Unmanned Systems Forces
Size	210000 personnel (Planned)
Part of	Russian Armed Forces
Equipment	Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The Russian Unmanned Systems Forces is a branch of the Russian Armed Forces formed in 2025 in an effort to counter the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces. After its formation in 2025, it is part of the 7 branches of the Russian Armed Forces. Other branches include: the Russian Ground Forces, the Russian Navy, the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, the Russian Airborne Forces and the Russian Special Operations Forces.

The start of the organization of Unmanned Systems Forces is as early as August 2024.

Background

In December 2024, Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the formation of a new military branch of the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to unmanned systems. Later, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also unveiled plans to form a new military branch also focused on unmanned systems. This also reflected the critical role drones now play on the battlefield. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also stated that the organization of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces should be completed by the third quarter of 2025.

History

The start of the formation of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces began in August 2024, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in an effort to counter the also newly formed Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces. Later in January 2025, Russia continued forming separate drone system regiments at the military district level, aiming to enhance its capabilities in unmanned technology and centralise drone operations. ISW also reported that reported that a new unit of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces, the 7th Separate Unmanned Systems Reconnaissance Strike Regiment, was formed within Russia’s Central Military District and it had 1,342 personnel and was 94% staffed with personnel as of April 2024. Personnel training is also conducted at Russia’s 473rd District Training Centre.

On February 2025, Ukrainian officials reported that the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces planned to recruit up to 210 000 personnel by 2030. Later on 24 April, Ukrainian Intelligence reported that a new interdepartmental technical council has been created within the Russian Ministry of Defence primarily for the development of an unmanned systems and technology of maritime application.

Beginning of formation of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces

On March 2025, first reports of the creation of the first regiment of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces floated when a source reported that Russia recently established the 7th Separate Unmanned Systems Reconnaissance Strike Regiment. The unit would consist of 1,300 personnel who would operate 41 drone attack units and 61 reconnaissance units and that each unit would consist of several drones. The source also reported that the regimental personnel would contain electronic, communications, medical and hardware support specialists.

On May 9, 2025, during the Victory Day parade for Russia, they paraded combat drones that belonged to the Unmanned Systems Forces that its forces use in the war in Ukraine on Moscow's Red Square for the first time. The drones that were shown during the parade were the Lancet drones, Geran or Shahed Iranian drones, and as well as Orlan and Zala models and other drones. By May 11, 2025, Russia have completed its formation of the first UAV regiment of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces. The UAV equipment and personnel who participated in the 2025 May 9 Victory day parade belonged to the 7th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment of the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces.

Later on May 14, 2025, Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Russia is creating new Navy regiments focused entirely on uncrewed systems due to repeated Ukrainian drone attacks that exposed major weaknesses in its defenses. The news outlet also reported that the new regiments would operate drones in the air, on land, at sea, and underwater and that their missions would include reconnaissance, striking targets, protecting warships, destroying enemy drones, and clearing naval mines. On the same day, it was reported that every Russian navy fleet would contain specialized unmanned systems regiments and the new regiments would be equipped with a diverse range of advanced robotic technology, including aerial and ground drones, unmanned boats and underwater devices.

Structure as of May 2025

As of May 2025, the newly formed Russian Unmanned Systems Forces includes:

7th Separate Unmanned Systems Reconnaissance Strike Regiment

Conclusion

As the war in Ukraine continued, Russia adapted to the war by numerous ways. One of the ways included the pervasive use of unmanned vehicles in the air, ground, and sea and as a result, Russia created a new branch of arms, the Russian Unmanned Systems Forces. By this adaptation, Russia aims to enhance unmanned vehicle training and doctrine, future capability development, and ensure integration with the other arms branches. This also suggests that Russia sees the use of unmanned vehicles as not an aberration, but a permanent feature of future wars and armed conflicts.

See also

• Russian Armed Forces
• Russian Ground Forces
• Russian Navy
• Russian Aerospace Forces
• Strategic Rocket Forces
• Russian Airborne Forces
• Special Operations Forces (Russia)