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]
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]