Unmanned Systems Forces

Russia has failed to recruit the planned number of personnel for its new Unmanned Systems Forces, with only 8,000 specialists trained by mid-2026 instead of the expected 34,400. The shortfall reflects a broader slowdown in military recruitment.

Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces conducted a strike on 13 electrical substations in Russian-occupied territories, including Crimea, and targeted four maritime assets linked to Russia’s shadow fleet in the Black and Azov Seas. The attacks were reported by USF Commander Robert Brovdi and confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff.

Ukraine attacked 12 vessels in Russia's Black Sea shadow fleet to disrupt fuel supplies to occupied regions and Crimea. The Unmanned Systems Forces reported hitting 159 ships from Russia's shadow fleet in 10 days, including 117 in the Azov Sea and 42 in the Black Sea, as part of Operation Molochka to cripple sanctioned logistics.

Ukrainian drones struck approximately 90 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over seven days, targeting a 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers to disrupt fuel supplies to Crimea. The campaign aims to cut oil export revenue, a key source of funding for Moscow's budget, with Ukraine asserting the ships are legitimate military targets.

Ukrainian military officials reported a drone campaign targeting Russian maritime logistics in the Sea of Azov. The Unmanned Systems Forces struck 90 Russian vessels, including tankers, tugboats, ferries, and dry cargo ships, between July 6 and July 12. The General Staff stated these vessels support Russian military logistics and transport petroleum products to bypass international sanctions.

Ukraine will commemorate an annual 'Unmanned Systems Forces Day' on June 11 to honor its drone warfare branch, established in February 2024. President Zelenskyy claimed the force caused $40 billion in Russian losses in one year, targeting logistics and border regions with mid-range strike drones.

Ukraine has developed a massive drone force with 25,000 to 40,000 active combat UAV pilots and 80,000 total personnel in drone operations. The force includes the Unmanned Systems Forces and dedicated units across over 100 maneuver brigades, surpassing the 15,000 non-North American NATO drone pilots.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko responded to Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert 'Magyar' Brovdi's statement about mapping 500 military targets in Belarus by warning of a 'very serious' high-priority target across the border. Lukashenko's response included threats of nuclear and counter-strike measures.

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces conducted a deep-strike operation, damaging a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker and the Kurgannefteprodukt oil depot in Taganrog, among 23 military and strategic targets. The attack occurred overnight into May 30.