Μake us preferred on Google Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Denis Lyamin to head Russia’s new Unmanned Systems Forces, a new branch of the country’s armed forces that will be responsible for drone warfare.
Putin announced the appointment as part of what he called an “optimization” of the military structure, roughly midway through the fifth year of the war in Ukraine.
Drones have become a decisive factor in the conflict, with both sides using them not only along the roughly 1,200-kilometer front line but also for attacks at sea and against targets deep behind enemy lines, such as energy infrastructure and commercial warehouses.
Ukraine announced last month the creation of its own command dedicated to “long-range strikes.”
A “reshuffle” in the Russian military’s chain of command
Speaking to Lyamin during a televised meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, Putin described him as “one of the most qualified specialists” to take charge of the new drone forces. He tasked him with completing the formation of the unit and assuming command “in the near future.”
Until now, Lyamin served as chief of staff for the “Center” group of forces, part of the Russian military fighting in Ukraine. He is a graduate of an armored forces command academy and comes from a ground forces background.
Putin described the “Center” group as a key part of Russia’s operations to seize the entire Donetsk region, one of Moscow’s top priorities in the war.
As part of the reshuffle announced at the same meeting, Putin said that the commander of the “Center” group, Valery Solodchuk, will take on a new position overseeing all military logistics. He will be replaced by Andrei Ivanaev, who until now commanded the “East” group of forces.
