Russia Plans to Increase Drone Forces to 165,000 by Year-End, Says Syrsky

In a recent communication via Telegram, Oleksandr Syrsky, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, emphasized the ongoing successes of Ukrainian drone units in the battlefield. He revealed that over the past four months, these forces have been effectively dismantling the personnel of Russian troops at a rate that surpasses Russia's ability to mobilize new recruits. Currently, the number of Russian personnel dedicated to drone operations stands at 101,000, with plans to increase this figure to 165,500 by the end of the year.

Syrsky's remarks come at a critical juncture, as he noted that since December 2025, Ukrainian drone units have consistently outperformed Russian losses. "For four consecutive months, starting from December 2025, our drone units have been neutralizing more enemy personnel than the enemy can recruit into their ranks," he stated. He also provided statistics indicating that in March 2026, compared to February, there was a 29% increase in overall enemy personnel losses.

The Commander-in-Chief highlighted that Ukrainian drone units are currently conducting an average of over 11,000 combat missions daily. "In March alone, we recorded a 50% increase in verified targets hit compared to February statistics. This amounts to over 150,000 targets," he added. Syrsky also pointed out the enhanced effectiveness of Middle Strike assets, which have carried out nearly 350 strikes at operational depths ranging from 30 to 120 kilometers. Among the targets hit were 143 logistics and supply depots of the enemy, 52 command points of the Russian army, 20 oil and energy sector facilities, and other critical objectives.

Furthermore, Syrsky reported that intelligence assessments indicate that by early April 2026, the number of Russian personnel involved in drone operations has risen to 101,000, with an ambitious target to reach 165,500 by the year's end. "Therefore, we cannot afford to pause in this decisive confrontation. The further development of drone units across various branches and types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continues," he concluded.