Russia has completed the formation of its unmanned systems forces as a separate branch of the military, according to war correspondent Alexander Sladkov.

Sladkov said the new branch is subordinate to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, placing it alongside specialized formations such as communications and electronic warfare troops.

He noted that establishing an entirely new branch of the armed forces is a complex and lengthy process, particularly in a field that is evolving rapidly during combat operations. According to Sladkov, experience from the special military operation has demonstrated the importance of controlling the air, while drone operators have effectively become a new elite of modern warfare.

The Russian Defense Ministry has also established a training system for unmanned systems personnel at higher military educational institutions. Future UAV officers are currently being trained there.

In addition to general military disciplines, tactics and firearms training, cadets study physics, higher mathematics, aerodynamics and the fundamentals of structural mechanics for aircraft. The curriculum is intended to prepare highly qualified specialists capable of working with sophisticated unmanned equipment.

Sladkov also highlighted Colonel General Denis Lyamin, recently appointed head of the unmanned systems forces. He described Lyamin as a staff officer with substantial combat experience in planning operations on one of the most difficult sectors within the area of responsibility of Russia’s Center group of forces.

The war correspondent cited the Krasnoarmeysk-Dimitrov operation as an example that, in his view, demonstrates the competence of the first commander of the newly established military branch.

Sladkov added that during his tenure as chief of staff of the Center group, Lyamin established effective coordination between unmanned systems operators and infantry, artillery and missile units.