On Tuesday, Ukraine inaugurated its Unmanned Systems Forces, a novel branch of its military dedicated to drone warfare, which government officials claimed was the first of its kind.
According to Ivan Havryliuk, the deputy minister of Defense of Ukraine, the creation of Unmanned Systems Forces makes Ukraine unique because no other country has established such a unit. He believes that this development presents an opportunity for the formation of a coalition of nations with similar capabilities.
In February, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed the establishment of a new branch, citing the proven effectiveness of Ukrainian military drones in battles on land, in the sky, and at sea.
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, aged 39, was appointed as the new commander of the branch just a day before its launch. He has been actively fighting against Russia since 2014 and is known by his callsign “Borsuk,” which means “Badger.” Colonel Sukharevskyi is considered to be a legend of the Russian-Ukrainian war and was the first to give orders to open fire on Russian militants in April 2014 when they attempted to seize the Donetsk region.
Drones have emerged as a crucial technological advancement for both sides in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Initially, the Ukrainian Air Force relied on small commercial drones such as the DJI Mavic for surveillance and dropping grenades. However, they have now shifted to using first-person view drones to launch attacks on enemy personnel and vehicles. Over the past couple of years, the Ukrainians have also developed a diverse range of aerial, land, and water-based drones to combat the Russian forces when faced with a shortage of heavy weapons, artillery, and fighter jets.
Havryliuk expressed confidence in their ability to triumph over the Russian Federation. According to him, they possess all the necessary equipment to replace a soldier on the front line, at sea, in the air, and even underwater.
According to Ukrainian MP Vadym Ivchenko, the use of maritime drones is the way forward and Ukraine is yet to explore this technology. He further added that despite not having a fully equipped sea fleet, Ukraine was able to overcome the Russian Black Sea fleet.
According to Platoon Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Commander Oleksandr Yarmak, the establishment of the new branch is a historic event of global significance.
He stated that the structure is completely new and requires no alterations. Instead, novel methods can be devised.
According to Yarmak, the emblem of the branch was designed using AI technology. The emblem features an iron swallow, which holds a special place in the hearts of Ukrainians. Yarmak stated that the swallow is a beloved bird in Ukraine and is even referenced in the traditional New Year’s Eve song, “Shchedryk.” He further described the emblem as a gentle bird that transforms into a powerful force for vengeance.
According to Sukharevskyi, the commander, the recent establishment of the new branch, Ukraine, has sent a clear message to the world that the Armed Forces have moved beyond traditional methods. He emphasized that the creation of the USF is a preparation for future warfare rather than battles of the past. “We are geared towards the war of the future,” he stated.
In response to a question from ABC News regarding American involvement, Sukharevskyi stated that the United States is one of their primary strategic partners and participates in numerous areas, ranging from reconnaissance to the production of drones.
According to the speaker, the collaboration of drone coalitions has proven to be highly effective. This organization involves several countries, including Latvia, Great Britain, Sweden, Estonia, Germany, Netherlands, Lithuania, Denmark, Canada, and Australia, who are all working together to produce and supply drones to Ukraine.
According to the commander, the existing UAV control units within the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not be placed under the jurisdiction of the new command in order to maintain a smooth and organized workflow. This decision was made to avoid any potential disruptions or chaos in the established system.
According to Sukharevskyi, the Ukrainian Armed Forces received six times more drones from the state in the first five months of 2024 than they did for the entirety of 2023.