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Unmanned Systems Forces

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Unmanned Systems Forces
Сили безпілотних систем
Active6 February 2024–present
Country Ukraine
RoleDrone warfare
Part ofArmed Forces of Ukraine
HeadquartersKyiv
EquipmentUnmanned combat vehicles
Commanders
Commander of the USFColonel Vadym Sukharevsky

The Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) (Ukrainian: Сили безпілотних систем (СБС), romanized: Syly bezpilotnykh system (SBS)) 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.[3] Ukraine is the first country to have a branch of its military dedicated to unmanned systems.[4][5]

History

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Formation

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On 6 February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree 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.[6][7]

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.[8] Since the start of the fullscale Russian invasion, Sukharevsky was a commander of 59th Motorized Brigade.

Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi – his focus is on unmanned systems and the development of utilization of drones by our soldiers, and Colonel Andriy Lebedenko – his focus is on innovation, specifically the technology component of the army and combat systems – have been appointed deputies of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Clear practice with new technologies is needed. There are more than enough theories; everything must work in practice for the sake of Ukrainian goals and the maximum preservation of the lives of our soldiers.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy

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.[9]

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

On 11 June, the force was formally established.[3]

On 23 October 2024, the chief of staff of the forces, Roman Hladkyi, was dismissed from his position.[11]

Operations

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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

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "I signed a decree initiating the establishment of a separate branch of forces – the Unmanned Systems Forces – address by the President of Ukraine" (in Ukrainian). Official website of the President of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 11 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Ukraine Announces Formalization of New Unmanned Systems Forces Branch of Military". Inside Unmanned Systems. 7 February 2024. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b Alexander Khrebet (11 June 2024). "'We set a precedent.' Ukraine officially presents Unmanned Systems Forces". The Kyiv Independent. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  4. ^ "As Ukraine focuses on drone warfare, its military creates new Unmanned Systems Forces branch". ABC News. 12 June 2024. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Las nuevas Fuerzas de Sistemas No Tripulados de Ucrania están llamadas a cambiar la guerra con Rusia". 8 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Ukraine's Zelenskiy orders creation of separate military force for drones". Reuters. 6 February 2024.
  7. ^ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №51/2024 Про нарощування спроможностей сил оборони". Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  8. ^ 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. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  9. ^ Tetyana Oliynyk (7 June 2024). "Ukrainian government backs draft presidential decree creating Unmanned Systems Forces within Armed Forces". Ukrainska Pravda. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  10. ^ Opanasenko, Oleksandra (10 June 2024). "Vadym Sukharevsky was appointed commander of the UAV Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". Babel.ua. General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Controversial chief of staff for Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces dismissed months after appointment, Ukrainska Pravda reports". The Kyiv Independent. 23 October 2024. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine's drones". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  13. ^ "У Києві презентували новітній рід військ ЗСУ — Сили безпілотних систем" (in Ukrainian). 11 June 2024.
  14. ^ 423 окремий батальйон безпілотних систем запрошує приєднатися до їхньої команди
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ [2]
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