Putin Orders Creation of Russian Drone Forces Amid Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to establish a dedicated branch of unmanned drone forces within the Russian military, highlighting the pivotal role of drones in the ongoing war with Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting on weapons development, Putin emphasized the need for rapid and high-quality deployment of these drone units, calling them a strategic priority.

Drones have become a central element in the conflict that began in February 2022, with both Russia and Ukraine relying heavily on unmanned systems for surveillance and combat. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has long advocated for developing Ukraine’s domestic drone industry, pushing for innovation in drone production and use on the battlefield.

Putin claimed that Russia is not falling behind Ukraine in drone warfare, asserting that Moscow is leveraging experience to develop advanced drone capabilities. The initiative to form a drone-specific military branch was proposed by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in late 2024, with a target to formalize the unit by Q3 2025.

In addition to drones, Putin stressed the importance of strengthening Russia's air defense systems. He stated that Russian air defenses have destroyed over 80,000 aerial targets during the conflict. He called for a new state armament program to develop a flexible and effective air defense system capable of neutralizing various air-based threats.

The remarks come as Russia continues to refer to the war as a “special military operation.” On the first day of the arms meeting, Putin also highlighted the need to maintain and modernize Russia’s nuclear triad—land, sea, and air-based nuclear capabilities.

These developments underscore Russia's strategic shift toward drone warfare and enhanced defense technologies, signaling continued military innovation amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.