The Russian army is urgently deploying an additional 4 regiments, 24 battalions, and 162 batteries to counter Ukrainian strike drones.
This was reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“The enemy is urgently, outside of approved plans, deploying another 4 regiments, 24 battalions, and 162 batteries to counter our strike drones. It is strengthening layered air defense coverage of Moscow and the Krasnodar region. In fact, the Russians are scaling up their UAV forces, copying Ukrainian solutions — technical, tactical, and organizational. The same applies to the use of electronic warfare systems in border regions,” he said.
According to Syrskyi, Russia plans to produce 7.3 million FPV drones and 7.8 million warheads for various types of drones in 2026.
“The enemy is increasing supplies of jet-powered strike drones to its forces. We see this, analyze it, and take it into account in our own planning. Despite all challenges, we continue to hold the initiative and set the pace. Our advantage in FPV drones is growing. Starting from December, for the fifth consecutive month, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Defense Forces of Ukraine have been eliminating more occupiers than Russia manages to mobilize into its army,” the Commander-in-Chief emphasized.
Syrskyi also reported that in April Ukrainian unmanned systems carried out nearly 357,000 combat missions, struck more than 160,700 verified targets (2% more than in March), and suppressed over 7,700 Russian UAV operator positions. In addition, Middle Strike systems operating at a range of 20–250 km hit 424 Russian targets.
He also highlighted the growing role of ground-based robotic systems in modern warfare. According to Syrskyi, these systems are not only used in combat but also evacuate the wounded, lay minefields, and handle over 60% of logistics transport in support of troops.
“The war is constantly changing. The enemy is adapting and looking for new ways to counter our strengths. Therefore, we must act faster, more flexibly, and more technologically. Key tasks include improving electronic warfare effectiveness, expanding the use of ground-based robotic EW platforms, and reviewing the effectiveness of individual EW systems,” Syrskyi stressed.
He added that during the monthly meeting on the development of unmanned systems, participants also discussed existing problems, solutions, and the use of drone interceptors to protect Ukrainian infantry groups. The Commander-in-Chief also signed orders awarding the best servicemen in the unmanned systems sector and thanked the soldiers of the Unmanned Systems Forces for their daily work, destruction of the Russian forces, and saving the lives of Ukrainian infantrymen.
