World’s First: Ukraine Establishes Dedicated Unmanned Systems Force.

Ukraine Makes History with the Creation of a Unmanned Systems Force

According to Espreso.tv: On February 6, 2024, Ukraine achieved a global milestone when the president signed a decree officially establishing the Unmanned Systems Force (USF)—the first military branch of its kind anywhere in the world. These forces have proven highly effective in destroying enemy equipment and personnel using drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. Despite making up only about 2% of the total personnel in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the USF is responsible for one-third of all confirmed strikes against the enemy, quickly becoming a critical component of the country’s defense capabilities.

The USF group was formally organized on June 11, 2025, with the formation of 12 combat units, including:

• 429th Separate Brigade 'ACHILLES'
• 411th Brigade 'Hawks'
• 412th Brigade 'NEMESIS'
• 424th Battalion 'SVAROG'

Initially, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi was appointed as the commander of the USF, later succeeded by Major Robert Brovdi. Over the course of one year, from June 2025 to May 2026, Ukrainian defense force drones eliminated 302,000 enemy personnel.

The 'Drone Line' Project

A key development in the USF’s evolution came in 2025, when they became the foundation of the 'Drone Line' project. This initiative aimed to expand the use of unmanned systems in military operations. In April 2026, USF drones reached the Ural region for the first time, striking an airbase near Chelyabinsk at a distance of approximately 1,800 km.

Within just one year of the USF’s formation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the force had struck Russian targets of various types worth nearly $40 billion.

“The Unmanned Systems Force in Ukraine represents a new approach to warfare, enabling the effective use of technology to achieve military objectives.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The establishment of the Unmanned Systems Force in Ukraine underscores the growing importance of innovation in modern warfare. As the technological arms race accelerates, the effective deployment of drones can dramatically alter the course of battle. The development of such units may also serve as a model for other nations looking to modernize their armies and adapt to emerging security challenges.