Russia Inaugurates Nirawak System Forces As Military Branch

Illustration of Russian drone troops. (Wikimedia Commons/men'smen

JAKARTA - Russia on Wednesday announced the formation of a drone-specificized system force in a drone war as a new military branch.

"The Nirawak System Force has been formed in the Russian Armed Forces," Sergey Ishtuganov, deputy head of the new force, said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, reported Anadolu November 12.

Furthermore, Ishtuganov said the new military branch structure had been determined, and its leaders had also been appointed. However, he did not provide further details.

He only said military administrative units, as well as operational regiments and other units, had been formed.

"The combat operation of the unmanned system unit is carried out in accordance with the integrated plan and in coordination with other units in the troop group," said Ishtuganov, adding that the expansion of existing units and the formation of new units are ongoing.

He added that specialists are currently being trained in various institutions, including educational institutions belonging to the Ministry of Defense and military training centers affiliated with civilian universities.

"However, work has been underway to create a high military education institution for the Nirawak System Forces," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in June that at a meeting in Moscow his country was trying to create an unmanned system force as a separate branch of the armed forces.

Drones themselves have played a key role in Ukraine's war, which continues despite efforts led by US President Donald Trump to end it.

Meanwhile, Ukraine first formed its own Nirawak System Forces as military branches in June 2024, becoming the first country to form a unit dedicated to drone use.