Russia is actively expanding its unmanned systems forces, increasing the production of drones and electronic warfare systems, and developing its own alternatives to satellite communications. This was stated in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda by the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, known by the callsign “Madyar.”
According to Brovdi, as of April 1, Russia had 100,000 personnel involved in drone-related operations. By early May, that number had risen to 114,000, compared to 86,000 at the beginning of 2025.
“That means they increased by 28,000 in four months,” Brovdi said.
He added that Russia plans to expand its unmanned systems forces to 168,000 personnel by the end of the year, with a long-term target of 200,000.
According to the Ukrainian commander, the Russian military is effectively copying the structure of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and is attempting to centralize command of drone units at the level of the Russian General Staff.
Brovdi also cited several examples of Russia scaling up military technologies.
The first was the “Molniya” drone, which he said previously had limited range and could be easily intercepted by FPV drones. However, after intervention by Russian authorities, production costs were reduced, the warhead was increased to 10 kilograms, and a state order for 1.1 million units was placed.
“An average brigade on the front line now faces up to 60 ‘Molniya’ drones per day,” Brovdi said.
As a second example, he pointed to the mass use of Shahed attack drones. According to him, Russia is already capable of launching 300–400 such drones per day, demonstrating significant production and logistical capacity.
The third factor highlighted by Brovdi was the use of mobile electronic warfare systems. He said Russian infantry units deploy small portable EW systems during assaults.
“They place about 10 of them on positions, go on the attack, and no standard drone can reach that infantry,” he said.
Brovdi also stated that Russia is developing its own alternatives to satellite communication systems following restrictions on access to Starlink.
According to him, these solutions remain imperfect for now, but Russia already has working prototypes and continues to improve them.
“In a year they will evolve and have their own alternative network along the entire front line,” Brovdi said.
