Russia is establishing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) troops as a distinct branch of its military, announced President Vladimir Putin on June 12. Speaking at a meeting on the weapons program, Putin emphasized the importance of the rapid and efficient deployment and development of these specialized forces.

The decision to create UAV troops underscores the growing significance of unmanned systems in contemporary warfare, according to Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The announcement follows a previous statement made during an expanded meeting of the Board of the Russian Ministry of Defense on December 16, 2024, regarding the formation of this new military branch.

Furthermore, President Putin highlighted the effectiveness of Russian air defense systems since the commencement of the special military operation in February 2022. He stated that these systems have successfully destroyed over 80,000 aerial targets, including 7,500 modern tactical and cruise missiles. He also noted that the majority of these intercepted munitions were manufactured in Western countries.