Russia Aims to Triple Its 'Drone Army' by 2025, Ukraine Claims

Ukraine's top military commander says his forces are destroying Russian soldiers faster than the Kremlin can replace them, using drones. But new intelligence suggests Moscow is planning a massive counter-punch in the unmanned war. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukrainian drone units have eliminated more Russian personnel than Russia has recruited for four consecutive months. He emphasized the critical need to maintain this pressure. However, Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate Russia is working urgently to expand its fleet of military drones. Moscow's goal is to build a force of 165,000 unmanned systems by the end of 2025. This would triple Russia's current number of drones, creating what analysts call a "drone army." The move signals a major escalation in the electronic warfare and reconnaissance capabilities that define modern battlefield tactics. Syrskyi warned that Ukraine cannot afford to stop its own drone operations. The race for dominance in the air, with cheap and lethal unmanned aircraft, is now a central front in the war.