Unmanned Systems Forces Explained

Unit Name:Unmanned Systems Forces
Native Name:Сили безпілотних систем (Syly bezpilotnykh system)
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 which specializes in drone warfare and the use of 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 June 11, 2024.

As of June 2024, around 3,000 soldiers were reported to be in the USF.[3] There are reports of soldiers from the Ukrainian General Staff's Main Directorate of Unmanned Systems being reassigned to the USF.[4]

In 2024, the USF claimed to have better quality drones, despite Russia having six times the quantity.[5] Ukraine is the first country to add its own third branch to its Army, Navy and Air Force for drones and other unmanned systems.[6]

History

On February 6, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a instructing the Government of Ukraine and the General Staff to consider and work out the creation of the appropriate type of troops, after which the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine will consider the issue.[7]

On February 10, 2024, it was announced that Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky had become deputy of the recently appointed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and would be responsible for implementation of unmanned systems.[8] Since the start of the fullscale Russian invasion, Sukharevsky was a commander of 59th Motorized Brigade.

On May 7, 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the draft decree of the President of Ukraine, developed by the Ministry of Defense together with the General Staff, on creating a separate type of troop within the Armed Forces: the Unmanned Systems Forces.[9]

On June 10, 2024, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced that Colonel Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces.[10] On June 11, the force was formally established.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. 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. 2024-02-10.
  2. Web site: Ukraine Announces Formalization of New Unmanned Systems Forces Branch of Military. 7 February 2024 . Inside Unmanned Systems. en. 2024-02-10.
  3. Web site: У Києві презентували новітній рід військ ЗСУ — Сили безпілотних систем . Ukrainian. 11 June 2024.
  4. Web site: Головне управління безпілотних систем. Ukrainian. 3 June 2024.
  5. News: Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine's drones . 2024-07-23 . The Economist . 0013-0613.
  6. https://www.eldebate.com/internacional/20240208/nuevas-fuerzas-sistemas-no-tripulados-ucrania-estan-llamadas-cambiar-guerra-rusia_172941.html
  7. https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/512024-49625 УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №51/2024 Про нарощування спроможностей сил оборони
  8. 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.
  9. 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. 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.
  11. News: 'We set a precedent.' Ukraine officially presents Unmanned Systems Forces . Alexander Khrebet . 11 June 2024 . The Kyiv Independent . 11 June 2024 . en.