President approves creation of Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The President of Ukraine has signed a decree approving the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces within the Armed Forces.

Decree No.382/2024 was published on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this decision.

A separate branch of the Armed Forces was created to increase its capabilities to use unmanned and robotic air, sea, and ground systems.

On February 6, Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No.51/2024, according to which a new branch of the Ukrainian army, the Unmanned Systems Forces, will appear in the army’s structure.

The draft decree was developed by the Ministry of Defense together with the General Staff. The government supported Zelenskyy’s initiative on May 7.

In June, Vadym Sukharevskyi, who had previously been the Deputy Commander of the Unmanned Systems Force, was appointed the Force’s Commander.

Speaking of the tasks and functions, Vadym Sukharevskyi noted that the newly created structure would focus on interacting with existing unmanned systems units, supporting them, strengthening them, and building their capabilities.

“In no case will we take away and transfer units from the brigades that are currently at the front, as this would be destructive. We will be engaged in specific tasks and support,” Sukharevsky noted.

The structure will be tasked with providing units with drones, technical support, recruiting and training specialists, and planning military operations involving unmanned systems.

In addition, the Unmanned Systems Force will gather experience and interact with manufacturers of unmanned systems.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have also deployed separate companies of ground-based unmanned systems that perform tasks on the front line.