Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov proposed creating troops for unmanned systems in Russia at a meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry's Collegium with the participation of Vladimir Putin, the BBC reports.
"In accordance with the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, it is proposed to form a new type of troops - troops for unmanned systems," he said.
According to Belousov, their creation could be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on the creation of a new type of armed forces - the Armed Forces of Unmanned Systems.
Ukraine is actively developing the production of drones on its territory - in particular, a plant of the Turkish company Baykar is being built in the country, where Bayraktar drones will be produced.
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In the war in Ukraine, Russia used drones for reconnaissance and targeting, identifying Ukrainian targets for artillery and missile strikes. Russian drones such as the "Orlan-10" provide aerial photographs and information, making them indispensable for coordinating combat operations.
Russia also relies on kamikaze drones, such as the Iranian "Shahed-136", which are used for mass attacks on critical infrastructure and civilian objects in Ukraine. They are already being produced in Tatarstan.
These drones are effective in destroying targets at long distances and are relatively cheap to produce. Russia also uses drones to deliver ammunition or food to hard-to-reach areas.
Russia is actively using electronic jamming systems that make Ukrainian drones ineffective.
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Zelensky handed over the first drone missiles "Hell" to the army.
They can attack distances of up to 700 km at a speed of 700 km/h.
Ukraine, for its part, also uses drones, which have a significant impact on military operations and combat tactics. Ukraine uses drones mainly for reconnaissance and surveillance, which allows it to collect information about the positions of Russian troops, their fortifications and movements. This allows for more accurate and effective strikes. Drones are often used for real-time surveillance, which helps adjust artillery fire.
In addition to their reconnaissance role, Ukrainian drones are a means of long-range attacks on strategic Russian sites, such as ammunition depots, oil depots, and military infrastructure far behind the front line.
Ukraine also relies on kamikaze drones, which neutralize important targets such as tanks, artillery systems, and logistics nodes.
Ukrainian forces are known for their innovative approach, modifying commercial drones for military purposes, which provides flexibility and accessibility.
On the battlefield, drones are changing the dynamics, with Ukraine demonstrating innovation and using both military and commercial models for strategic strikes. Russia, for its part, relies on massive drone strikes that destroy critical infrastructure and destabilize Ukraine's economy.
The challenges facing both sides include improving electronic warfare and access to modern technology. While Ukraine receives Western support, Russia uses its own developments and Iranian drones.
The development of autonomous drones and the use of artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in the conflict, already changing traditional military strategy and demonstrating the importance of these technologies in modern wars.