Ukraine is preparing to establish a new national holiday — the Day of Unmanned Systems Forces. The corresponding presidential decree is currently being prepared, as revealed in a post by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. This day will be observed on June 11.
Ukraine has made history as the first country in the world to create the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) as a separate branch of the military. This unit is responsible for reconnaissance, planning, and conducting operations using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground robotic complexes (GRCs).
New Branch of the Military: Scale and Tasks
The Unmanned Systems Forces operate not only at the front lines but also deep within enemy territory — more than a thousand kilometers from the front line. Their capabilities go far beyond tactical tasks, becoming a tool for strategic impact.
“You not only destroy the enemy, you make the world see it and believe in Ukraine,” wrote Yulia Svyrydenko, emphasizing the symbolic and informational significance of the USF's work.
Strikes on Targets in Russia: Facts and Consequences
On June 3, USF drones struck ships and infrastructure objects in the port of Kronstadt in the Leningrad Region of the Russian Federation — on the day of the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Among the damaged objects were the corvette “Boykiy” and an oil terminal. Videos after the strike show damage to the ship’s port side and traces of firefighting. The vessel was part of the Russian Baltic Fleet and escorted tankers of Russia’s shadow oil fleet.
On June 4, the USF destroyed a “Svetlyak” class patrol ship in temporarily occupied Crimea, as well as a “Pantsir-S1” anti-aircraft missile system in the Kherson region and a radio-technical system near Sakov. On the same day, the unit took Donetsk Airport under fire control, blocking a base for launching “Shahed” kamikaze drones there. Launchers, transport vehicles, and fuel trucks were destroyed.
Why June 11?
The date of June 11 was not chosen by chance. It symbolizes the day when the Unmanned Systems Forces officially began operating as an independent branch of the military. This became possible thanks to the unique experience accumulated during combat operations and Ukraine’s desire to create an effective system for managing and deploying unmanned technology.
The creation of a separate branch of the military is not just an administrative decision. It is an acknowledgment that drones and robots have become a key element of modern warfare. Their role goes beyond auxiliary functions: they are capable of delivering precision strikes, conducting reconnaissance, blocking enemy logistics, and even influencing the international agenda.
What’s Next?
The adoption of the decree on the Day of Unmanned Systems Forces will be an important step in recognizing their contribution to the country’s defense. It is also a signal to other states: Ukraine is demonstrating how new technologies can be integrated into the military structure and used to achieve strategic goals.
For Ukrainian citizens, this holiday will be an opportunity to remember those who work in the shadows but whose actions change the course of the war. For the world — a reminder that the future of conflicts is already here, and it is controlled from an operator’s cabin or through a tablet screen.