Unmanned Systems Forces

On 6 February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a {{ill|President of Ukraine|lt=decree|uk|Указ Президента України}} instructing the Government of Ukraine and the General Staff to create a separate branch of the Armed Forces dedicated to unmanned systems, after which the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine would consider the issue.{{Cite news |date=6 February 2024 |title=Ukraine's Zelenskiy orders creation of separate military force for drones |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-zelenskiy-orders-creation-separate-military-force-drones-2024-02-06/ |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/512024-49625 |title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №51/2024 Про нарощування спроможностей сил оборони |access-date=9 February 2024 |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206180615/https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/512024-49625 |url-status=live }}

On 10 February, it was announced that Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky had become deputy of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and would be responsible for the implementation of unmanned systems.{{cite web |last1=Volodymyr Zelenskyy |title=Combat commanders, brigades' real-life experience must be implemented for the Armed Forces' success |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/uves-realnij-dosvid-bojovih-komandiriv-i-brigad-maye-buti-re-88897 |website=president.gov.ua |publisher=Official website of the President of Ukraine |access-date=10 June 2024 |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610213449/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/uves-realnij-dosvid-bojovih-komandiriv-i-brigad-maye-buti-re-88897 |url-status=live }} Since the start of the fullscale Russian invasion, Sukharevsky was a commander of 59th Motorized Brigade.

{{Blockquote

|text=Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi – his focus is on unmanned systems and the development of utilization of drones by our soldiers, and Colonel Andriy Lebedenko – his focus is on innovation, specifically the technology component of the army and combat systems – have been appointed deputies of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Clear practice with new technologies is needed. There are more than enough theories; everything must work in practice for the sake of Ukrainian goals and the maximum preservation of the lives of our soldiers.|author=Volodymyr Zelenskyy

}}

On 7 May, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported a draft decree developed by the Ministry of Defense and General Staff to formally establish the Unmanned Systems Forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/7/7454683/|title=Ukrainian government backs draft presidential decree creating Unmanned Systems Forces within Armed Forces|author=Tetyana Oliynyk|publisher=Ukrainska Pravda|access-date=10 June 2024|date=7 June 2024|archive-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610195053/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/7/7454683/|url-status=live}}

On 10 June, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces.{{cite news |last1=Opanasenko |first1=Oleksandra |title=Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |url=https://babel.ua/en/news/107961-vadym-sukharevsky-was-appointed-commander-of-the-uav-forces-of-the-armed-forces-of-ukraine |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=Babel.ua |agency=General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces |date=10 June 2024 |archive-date=10 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610213450/https://babel.ua/en/news/107961-vadym-sukharevsky-was-appointed-commander-of-the-uav-forces-of-the-armed-forces-of-ukraine |url-status=live }}

On 11 June, the force was formally established.{{cite news |title='We set a precedent.' Ukraine officially presents Unmanned Systems Forces |url=https://kyivindependent.com/we-set-a-precedent-ukraine-officially-presents-unmanned-systems-forces/ |author=Alexander Khrebet |access-date=11 June 2024 |publisher=The Kyiv Independent |date=11 June 2024 |language=en |archive-date=11 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611175757/https://kyivindependent.com/we-set-a-precedent-ukraine-officially-presents-unmanned-systems-forces/ |url-status=live }} The main mission of the USF according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is centered around "gathering experience, disseminating knowledge, and formalizing these insights into statutes and tactical and operational guidelines" for the Armed Forces.{{cite web |last1=Bondar |first1=Kateryna |title=Why Ukraine is Establishing Unmanned Forces Across Its Defense Sector and What the United States Can Learn from It |url=https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-ukraine-establishing-unmanned-forces |website=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) |access-date=2 February 2025 |language=en |date=19 November 2024}}

On 23 October 2024, the chief of staff of the forces, Roman Hladkyi, was dismissed from his position.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Controversial chief of staff for Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces dismissed months after appointment, Ukrainska Pravda reports |url=https://kyivindependent.com/successor-chosen-for-controversial-chief-of-staff-of-the-unmanned-systems-forces-ukrainska-pravda-says/ |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=The Kyiv Independent |language=en}}

According to the CSIS, the USF maintains close contact with 90% of the domestic drone manufacturers, testing new systems and providing feedback to the developers while training drone operators for combat. The CSIS also reported that as of November 2024, the USF integrated more than 170 different unmanned systems.

The 59th Motorized Brigade was reformed as the 59th Separate Assault Brigade and transferred to the Unmanned Systems Forces in January 2025.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} On 5 January 2025, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi stated that the USF began deploying fiber-optic controlled drones in response to the Russians making use of them. Syrskyi also mentioned an increase in the number of brigades equipped with enhanced drones and that the Armed Forces were on the final stages of organizing a dedicated unmanned systems brigade.{{cite web |title=Unmanned Systems Forces begin using drones with fiber-optic control channels – CinC Syrskyi |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3945240-unmanned-systems-forces-begin-using-drones-with-fiberoptic-control-channels-cinc-syrskyi.html |website=Ukrinform |access-date=2 February 2025 |language=en |date=6 January 2025}}

The Unmanned Systems Forces has claimed to have better quality drones than the Russian Armed Forces, despite Russia having six times the quantity.{{Cite news |title=Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine's drones |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/07/22/vadym-sukharevsky-the-man-in-charge-of-ukraines-drones |access-date=23 July 2024 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}

As of June 2024, around 3,000 soldiers were reported to be in the USF.{{cite web |date=11 June 2024 |title=У Києві презентували новітній рід військ ЗСУ — Сили безпілотних систем |url=https://suspilne.media/766185-u-kievi-prezentuvali-novitnij-rid-vijsk-zsu-sili-bezpilotnih-sistem/ |language=Ukrainian}}

On 14 January 2025, Ukraine attacked Russian chemical factories and energy infrastructure in Bryansk, Saratov, and Tula Oblasts and the Republic of Tatarstan with missiles. The USF claimed that "drones successfully distracted Russian air defences, paving the way for missiles that hit the main targets."{{cite news |title=Ukraine claims biggest aerial strike on Russian territory |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250114-ukraine-hits-russian-army-factories-energy-hubs-in-massive-barrage |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=France 24 |agency=AFP |date=14 January 2025 |language=en}}

In the late night of 28 January or the early morning of 29 January 2025, the 14th Separate Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment launched a strike on a pumping station on the Druzhba pipeline along the Russian-Belarusian border in Bryansk Oblast reportedly using drones capable of dropping bombs on their targets.{{cite news |last1=Axe |first1=David |author1-link=David Axe |title=A New Kind Of Ukrainian Drone May Have Blown Up A Major Russian Oil Pipeline |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/30/a-new-kind-of-ukrainian-drone-may-have-blown-up-a-major-russian-oil-pipeline/ |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=Forbes |date=30 January 2025 |language=en}} According to Defense Express, these drones carry a FAB-250 M-54 high-explosive bomb on their underbellies and feature an optical sighting system for precision strikes.{{cite news |last1=Syngaivska |first1=Sofiia |title=Ukrainian Forces Use UAVs with Full-Size FAB-250 Bombs in Precision Strikes on russian Targets (Photo) |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/ukrainian_forces_use_uavs_with_full_size_fab_250_bombs_in_precision_strikes_on_russian_targets_photo-13369.html |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=Defense Express |date=30 January 2025 |language=en}} On 31 January 2025, the Unmanned System Forces confirmed the use of drones carrying {{cvt|250|kg}} aerial bombs. According to the USF Command, these drones are capable of "reaching up to {{convert|2000|km}} with the possibility of return. This is a unique development that changes the rules of the game on the battlefield."{{cite news |last1=Axe |first1=David |title=Ukraine's New Drone Bomber Flies 1,200 Miles With A 550-Pound Bomb—And Returns To Base |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2025/01/31/ukraines-new-drone-bomber-flies-1200-miles-with-a-550-pound-bomb-and-returns-to-base/ |access-date=2 February 2025 |work=Forbes |date=31 January 2025 |language=en}}

First announced in December 2024, on 13 April 2025, the Unmanned Systems Forces released the first footage of a laser weapon system, called “Tryzub”, in use destroying a fibre optic FPV drone.{{Cite web |title= Ukraine showcases Tryzub laser weapon |author= Dylan Malyasov |url= https://defence-blog.com/ukraine-showcases-tryzub-laser-weapon/?amp |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=Defence Blog |language=en}}

On 01 June 2025, SBU carried out Operation Spider´s Web, the to date largest drone attack on russian air bases, resulting in 10 destroyed and 20 hit aircraft.

As of February 2025, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), estimated that the Unmanned Systems Forces had 5,000 personnel with one dedicated regiment, and six battalions, with an additional battalion being formed. The IISS also stated that the USF operates Bayraktar TB2 combat drones, as well several different kinds of loitering munitions weighing less than {{cvt|20|kg}}.{{sfn|IISS|2025|page=203}}

• 20px 9th Unmanned Systems Brigade
• 20px 14th UAV Regiment
• File:59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade SSI (with tab).png 59th Separate Assault Brigade
• 20px 412th UAV Regiment[https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/bataljon-bezpilotnyh-system-nemesis-stav-polkom/ Батальйон безпілотних систем «Nemesis» став полком]
• 20px 413th UAS Battalion{{Cite web |title=Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces release video of strike on Russian command post in Kursk Oblast – video |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/11/21/7485723/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}}
• 20px 423rd UAV Battalion[https://vin.gov.ua/news/ostanni-novyny/64558-423-okremyi-batalion-bezpilotnykh-system-zaproshuie-pryiednatysia-do-ikhnoi-komandy 423 окремий батальйон безпілотних систем запрошує приєднатися до їхньої команди]
• 20px 424th UAV Battalion[https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-udarnykh-bpak-do-424-okremoho-batalyonu-bezpilotnykh-system/ Vacancy for a UAV operator for the 424th UAV Battalion]
• 22x22px "Flying Skull" Battalion[https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-pilot-bpla-do-batalyonu-flying-skull/ Vacancy for a UAV operator for the "Flying Skull" Battalion]
• 22x22px Zagrawa
• 22x22px Topolya
• 20x20px 93rd Support Battalion[https://lobbyx.army/tor/saper-do-93-okremoho-batalyonu-pidtrymky/ Vacancy for a sapper for the 93rd Support Battalion of the Unmanned Systems Forces]
• 20px {{ill|190th Training Center|uk|190-й навчальний центр (Україна)}}

There are other units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that specialize in drone warfare, but structurally are not part of the Unmanned Systems Forces:

• 25px 383rd UAV Brigade
• 25x25px 385th USV Brigade
• 22px 414th Strike UAV Brigade
• 22px 419th UAV Battalion[https://lobbyx.army/tor/zovnishniy-pilot-bpla-do-419-okremoho-batalyonu-bezpilotnykh-system/ Vacancy for a UAV operator for the 419th UAV Battalion]
• 22px 420th UAV Battalion[https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-bpla-do-420-okremoho-batalyonu-bezpilotnykh-system/ Vacancy for a UAV operator for the 420th UAV Battalion]
• 22px 425th UAV Regiment[https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-bpla-do-420-okremoho-batalyonu-bezpilotnykh-system/ Vacancy for a control room dispatcher for the 425th UAV Regiment]
• 22px 426th UAV Battalion

• {{ill|Unmanned surface vehicles in Ukraine|uk|Безпілотні надводні апарати (Україна)}}
• Typhoon Unit (Ukraine)

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite journal |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=Chapter Four: Russia and Eurasia |journal=The Military Balance |date=11 February 2025 |volume=125 |issue=1 |pages=152–205 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/04597222.2025.2445476 |doi=10.1080/04597222.2025.2445476 |access-date=12 February 2025 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |ref={{SfnRef|IISS|2025}}|url-access=subscription }}

• [https://www.president.gov.ua/news/pidpisav-ukaz-yakij-rozpochinaye-stvorennya-okremogo-rodu-si-88817 Сайт Президента України]
• [https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2024/02/06/vazhlivij-krok-u-rozbudovi-ukrainskogo-vijska-–-rustem-umerov-pro-stvorennya-sil-bezpilotnih-sistem/ Сайт Міністерства оборони України]
• [https://armyinform.com.ua/2024/02/07/u-minczyfry-rozkryly-podrobyczi-stvorennya-komanduvannya-bezpilotnyh-system-u-zsu/ У Мінцифри розкрили подробиці створення Командування безпілотних систем у ЗСУ]// Армія-Інформ, 7 лютого 2024
• [https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3823951-stvorenna-sil-bezpilotnih-sistem-vidkrie-novi-mozlivosti-u-zastosuvanni-droniv-minoboroni.html Створення Сил безпілотних систем відкриє нові можливості у застосуванні дронів – Міноборони]// Укрінформ, 7 лютого 2024 року
• [https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-zsu-syly-bezpilotnyh-system-ukaz-zelenskoho/32808032.html У складі ЗСУ з'являться Сили безпілотних систем – указ Зеленського]// Радіо Свобода, 6 лютого 2024 року
• [https://www.dw.com/uk/zelenskij-iniciuvav-stvorenna-sil-bezpilotnih-sistem-u-zsu/a-68188488 Зеленський ініціював створення Сил безпілотних систем у ЗСУ]// DW, 6 лютого 2024 року
• [https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2024/02/7/7179135/ Столтенберг привітав створення Сил безпілотних систем у ЗСУ]// Європейська правда, 7 лютого 2024 року

{{Military of Ukraine}}

Category:Unmanned Systems Forces (Ukraine)

Category:Military units and formations established in 2024

Category:Military units and formations of Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War

Category:2024 establishments in Ukraine