Russians Completes Formation of First UAV regiment, Presents it at May 9 Parade

Russia publicly presented units of its first drone regiment — the 7th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Troops — during the May 9 military parade in Moscow.

Russian media published footage of the parade, which featured a column of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions.

“For the first time, a column of the 7th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Troops is passing through Red Square, represented by various types of unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions: Orlan-10, Orlan-30, ZALA, Lancet-51, Lancet-52, Garpiya, and Geran,” the parade announcer said.

Plans to form of the UAV regiment were first reported in April 2024 by Victory Drones, a specialized charity group citing its own sources.

As of spring 2024, the regiment was nearing completion within Russia’s Central Military District and is expected to be based in Poroshino, Sverdlovsk region. The staffing level reportedly reached 94% by early April, with a target strength of 1,342 personnel.

The regiment includes one UAV strike battalion and three reconnaissance-and-strike battalions, supported by control and logistics units. A total of 102 UAV crews are planned — 41 strike and 61 reconnaissance.

According to the leaked structure, the regiment is equipped with reconnaissance UAVs such as the Orlan-30 (16 crews), Eleron-3 (eight crews), Supercam (33 crews), and Kvazimachta (four crews). Attack drone crews include those operating Lancets (33), Geran-2 (two), and Kub loitering munitions (six).

Drone operator training was conducted at the 473rd District Training Center for Junior Specialists of the Motorized Rifle Troops.

Plans to establish a new branch of the Russian military dedicated to unmanned systems were publicly announced by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in December 2024.

“According to the instructions of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, it is proposed to form a new branch of the armed forces — the troops of unmanned systems. By your decision, we will complete their creation in the third quarter of next year,” Belousov shared with President Vladimir Putin.

It remains unclear how the new branch will be structured and whether it will incorporate existing UAV units deployed in Ukraine. However, based on the capabilities of the 7th Regiment, its main role is likely to include tactical reconnaissance and long-range strikes on high-value targets deep in Ukrainian territory.