**Russia Forms Unmanned Systems Forces**
Russia is creating a new branch of its military, called unmanned systems forces. By 2030, they plan to have up to 210,000 personnel in this branch.
Ukraine and Russia have been using drones heavily during the full-scale invasion. This has changed how modern warfare works. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that improving coordination between drone units and regular military forces is important.
**Drone Warfare**
Syrskyi also reported that in January, 66% of Russian equipment was destroyed by Ukrainian drones. The number of targets hit by drones increased by 7% compared to December. Most of the damage came from first-person-view (FPV) drones used by Ukraine.
Ukraine is continuously expanding its drone capabilities. They are using aerial, naval, and ground-based systems for reconnaissance, precision strikes, and other operations. Recently, Ukrainian troops started using a long-range drone that can travel up to 2,000 kilometers while carrying a 250-kilogram air bomb.
**New Branch in Ukraine**
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially established the country’s Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch within the Armed Forces. This shows how important drones are becoming in modern military strategy.
French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said that Ukrainian pilots trained in France will now be involved in defending Ukraine’s sky.
**Russia Uses Kursk Oblast Operation**
President Volodymyr Zelensky thinks that the operation in Kursk Oblast may become an important part of future negotiations to end Russia’s war. Russia launched 77 Shahed-type attack and decoy drones overnight, with confirmed hits and explosions reported in the target area.