Unmanned Systems Forces Explained
| Unit Name: | Unmanned Systems Forces |
| Native Name: | Сили безпілотних систем |
| Dates: | 6 February 2024–present |
| Role: | Drone warfare |
| Command Structure: | Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Garrison: | Kyiv |
| Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
| Equipment: | Unmanned combat vehicles |
| Commander1: | Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky |
| Commander1 Label: | Commander of the USF |
The Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) (is a branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that specializes in drone warfare and the use of unmanned military robots on land, sea, and air.[1] [2] The USF was created in the midst of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and was formally established on 11 June 2024. Ukraine is the first country to have a branch of its military dedicated to unmanned systems.[3] [4]
History
Formation
On 6 February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a 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.[5] [6]
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.[7] Since the start of the fullscale Russian invasion, Sukharevsky was a commander of 59th Motorized Brigade.
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.[8]
On 10 June, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces.[9]
On 11 June, the force was formally established.[10]
On 23 October 2024, the chief of staff of the forces, Roman Hladkyi, was dismissed from his position.[11]
Operations
The Unmanned Systems Forces has claimed to have better quality drones than the Russian Armed Forces, despite Russia having six times the quantity.[12]
As of June 2024, around 3,000 soldiers were reported to be in the USF.[13]
Structure
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: I signed a decree initiating the establishment of a separate branch of forces – the Unmanned Systems Forces – address by the President of Ukraine. Official website of the President of Ukraine. uk. 10 February 2024. 11 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240211175444/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/pidpisav-ukaz-yakij-rozpochinaye-stvorennya-okremogo-rodu-si-88817. live.
- Web site: Ukraine Announces Formalization of New Unmanned Systems Forces Branch of Military. 7 February 2024. Inside Unmanned Systems. en. 10 February 2024. 14 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240314020340/https://insideunmannedsystems.com/ukraine-announces-formalization-of-new-unmanned-systems-forces-branch-of-military/. live.
- Web site: 12 June 2024 . As Ukraine focuses on drone warfare, its military creates new Unmanned Systems Forces branch . 23 August 2024 . ABC News . en . 23 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240823002322/https://abcnews.go.com/International/ukraine-focuses-drone-warfare-military-creates-new-unmanned/story?id=111046806 . live .
- Web site: Las nuevas Fuerzas de Sistemas No Tripulados de Ucrania están llamadas a cambiar la guerra con Rusia . 8 February 2024 .
- News: 6 February 2024 . Ukraine's Zelenskiy orders creation of separate military force for drones . Reuters.
- Web site: УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №51/2024 Про нарощування спроможностей сил оборони . 9 February 2024 . 6 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240206180615/https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/512024-49625 . live .
- Web site: Volodymyr Zelenskyy . Combat commanders, brigades' real-life experience must be implemented for the Armed Forces' success . president.gov.ua . Official website of the President of Ukraine . 10 June 2024 . 10 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240610213449/https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/uves-realnij-dosvid-bojovih-komandiriv-i-brigad-maye-buti-re-88897 . live .
- Web site: Ukrainian government backs draft presidential decree creating Unmanned Systems Forces within Armed Forces. Tetyana Oliynyk. Ukrainska Pravda. 10 June 2024. 7 June 2024. 10 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240610195053/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/05/7/7454683/. live.
- News: Opanasenko . Oleksandra . Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine . 10 June 2024 . Babel.ua . General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces . 10 June 2024 . 10 June 2024 . 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 . live .
- News: 'We set a precedent.' Ukraine officially presents Unmanned Systems Forces . Alexander Khrebet . 11 June 2024 . The Kyiv Independent . 11 June 2024 . en . 11 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240611175757/https://kyivindependent.com/we-set-a-precedent-ukraine-officially-presents-unmanned-systems-forces/ . live .
- Web site: 2024-10-23 . Controversial chief of staff for Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces dismissed months after appointment, Ukrainska Pravda reports . 2024-10-24 . The Kyiv Independent . en.
- News: Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine's drones . 23 July 2024 . The Economist . 0013-0613.
- Web site: 11 June 2024 . У Києві презентували новітній рід військ ЗСУ — Сили безпілотних систем . Ukrainian.
- 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
- https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-udarnykh-bpak-do-424-okremoho-batalyonu-bezpilotnykh-system/
- https://lobbyx.army/tor/operator-pilot-bpla-do-batalyonu-flying-skull/
- Web site: Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces release video of strike on Russian command post in Kursk Oblast – video . 2024-12-04 . Ukrainska Pravda . en.
