The situation with drone systems in Ukraine
In December 2025, drone units of the Defense Forces neutralized over 33 thousand Russian military personnel. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on plans for further enhancement of drone capabilities. It is known that the number of Russian servicemen involved in drone systems amounts to 80 thousand.
Plans for the future
The plans to expand the number of drone forces anticipate increasing their number to 165.5 thousand by 2026 and up to 210 thousand by 2030. In December, drone aviation units (DAUs) completed about 339 thousand tasks, while ground robotic complexes completed nearly 2.1 thousand tasks.
- The total number of destroyed targets increased by 31%.
- The number of defeated enemy personnel increased by more than a quarter.
Oleksandr Syrskyi noted that 2025 became the year of 'great leap' in developing the drone component of the Armed Forces.
He also reported that state orders for the production of long-range drones in the Russian Federation were fulfilled at 106% for the year, while the production of drones in Russia amounts to over 400 units daily.
This data emphasizes the significant role of drone technologies in modern military conflicts, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. The gradual increase in the number of drone systems in Ukraine and their effectiveness in performing combat tasks indicates a strategic focus on technologies that can change the course of combat operations. It is also worth noting that the active production of drones in Russia indicates a growing competition in this field, which may influence the further development of military strategies in both countries.