Russia urgently deploying more forces to counter Ukrainian drones – CinC Syrskyi
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi announced this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
"The enemy is urgently, outside approved plans, deploying four more regiments, 24 battalions, and 162 batteries to counter our strike drones. Russia is strengthening the layered air defense of Moscow and Krasnodar Krai. In effect, the Russians are scaling up their unmanned systems forces by copying Ukrainian solutions – technical, tactical, and organizational. The same applies to the use of electronic warfare systems in border regions," Syrskyi said.
According to him, Russia plans to produce 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads for various types of unmanned systems in 2026.
"The enemy is increasing supplies of strike drones equipped with turbojet engines to its forces. We see this, analyze it, and take it into account in our own planning. […] Despite all the challenges, we continue to maintain the initiative and set the pace. Our advantage in FPV drones is growing. Since December, for five consecutive months, the unmanned systems units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces alone have neutralized more occupiers than Russia has managed to mobilize into its army," Syrskyi said.
Syrskyi also reported that in April, Ukrainian unmanned systems carried out nearly 357,000 combat missions and struck more than 160,700 verified targets – 2% more than in March. They also suppressed more than 7,700 enemy drone operator positions. In addition, middle strike systems hit 424 enemy targets at ranges of 20 to 250 kilometers.
He separately highlighted the growing role of ground robotic systems in modern warfare. According to Syrskyi, such systems not only participate in combat operations, but also evacuate the wounded, lay minefields, and handle more than 60% of logistical transportation in support of troops.
"War is constantly changing. The enemy adapts and seeks new ways to counter our strengths. That is why we must act faster, more flexibly, and more technologically. Among the key tasks are increasing the effectiveness of electronic warfare, expanding the use of ground-based robotic EW platforms, and reviewing the effectiveness of individual EW systems,” Syrskyi stressed.
He added that during a monthly meeting on the development of unmanned systems, participants also discussed existing problems, ways to resolve them, and the use of interceptor drones to protect Ukrainian infantry groups. The commander-in-chief also signed orders awarding the best servicemen in the unmanned systems field and thanked members of the Unmanned Systems Forces for their daily work, destruction of the enemy, and efforts to save the lives of Ukrainian infantry soldiers.
Photo credit: Oleksandr Syrskyi / Facebook
