Key Points – Ukraine is increasingly relying on unmanned systems to counter Russian forces, with Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi reporting over 89,000 Russian military targets “hit” by drones in May alone.
-As Russia also expands its unmanned units, including “ground robotic complexes” for rearming troops (copying Ukrainian tactics), Ukraine aims to stay ahead.
-Ukrainian plans include developing Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for critical battlefield tasks like logistical support, medical evacuation, direct combat engagement, and demining.
-This shift towards automated and remote-controlled systems signals a new era of warfare, driven by the need to conserve manpower and high-value assets.
How Ukraine Plans To Fight Russia Without Troops
Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed more than 89,000 Russian military targets using drones in May, according to a statement by Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In a May 30 Facebook and Telegram post, Syrskyi revealed the extent to which Ukrainian forces are now relying on both NATO-supplied and domestically-manufactured drones in their war against invading Russian forces.
Syrskyi said that following a monthly meeting focused on the “application and development of unmanned systems” with commanders of combat units, he was informed not only of the latest number of Russian targets successfully hit and destroyed by “drones of various types,” but also given updates on Russia’s pivot towards “unmanned units.”
While the rapidly growing deployment of drones on the battlefield is significant, Syrskyi offered a glimpse at how the war could evolve if a deal is not negotiated soon, describing how Ukraine is preparing to deploy new automated, robotic, and remote-controlled systems.
New Era Of Unmanned Warfare
Syrskyi’s comments reveal how Ukrainian and Russian forces are becoming increasingly dependent on new technology to avoid losing troops, weapons, and other high-value military assets. The Ukrainian military leader described how Russian forces are utilizing a growing number of “ground robotic complexes” to assist with the rearming of troops, adding that occupying forces were “copying” Ukrainian tactics.
“Listened to the intelligence report on the formation of unmanned troops in the Russian army and the arrival of new samples of BPLA and ground robotic complexes to arm the occupiers,” Syrskyi said. “In particular, the enemy copies the experience of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and actively scales their unmanned units.”
Syrskyi added that Ukraine must, therefore, maintain its pace of development and “constantly increase” its own capacity to remain ahead of the Russians.
His comments also revealed how Ukrainian forces are increasing their number of unmanned crews and considering the development of “unmanned ground complexes,” referring to the use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to perform critical battlefield tasks without human operators on board.
The systems, according to Syrskyi, would assist Ukrainian forces by providing logistical support, conducting medical evacuation, engaging enemy positions using mounted weaponry, and conducting mining and demining operations.
In April, reports revealed how Ukraine carried out its largest UGV trial, with more than 70 ground drones from 50 domestic manufacturers tested as part of the “Brave1” defense tech initiative. The tests were designed to assess advanced communications systems that would allow for long-range operations of drones and other vehicles.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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