Russia is creating new Navy regiments focused entirely on uncrewed systems after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks exposed major weaknesses in its defenses, according to Russian newspaper Izvestia.
The news outlet said the new regiments will operate drones in the air, on land, at sea, and underwater. Their missions will include reconnaissance, striking targets, protecting warships, destroying enemy drones, and clearing naval mines.
Military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia that there will be at least five of these regiments.
“Three will be part of the fleets based in the European part of Russia, and two will be for the Pacific Fleet,” Boltenkov explained. “There is a very large distance between Primorsky Krai and Kamchatka, and two regiments may be needed to control such remote regions.”
Boltenkov suggested that the Caspian and Dnieper flotillas could also receive similar units.
The regiments will reportedly be equipped with drones already deployed in Ukraine: Orlan and Forpost UAVs for reconnaissance, Lancet and Geran loitering munitions for strikes, and FPV drones for short-range attacks.
Russia publicly showcased units of its first drone regiment, the 7th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Troops, during the May 9 military parade in Moscow.
“For the first time, a column of the 7th Separate Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Troops is passing through Red Square, represented by various types of unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions: Orlan-10, Orlan-30, ZALA, Lancet-51, Lancet-52, Garpiya, and Geran,” the parade announcer said.
Russian drones slow down for the Red Square Victory Day parade — showcasing Moscow’s aerial firepower pic.twitter.com/23JGeaXVfy
— RT (@RT_com) May 9, 2025
Another video from the final rehearsal for Moscow’s May 9 parade that shows Orlan, Lancet, Geran and Garpia UAVs and drones. https://t.co/C4Q87Z5jau https://t.co/jY82BRorHx pic.twitter.com/rR2aqAf2cP
— Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) May 7, 2025
The regiment’s structure reportedly includes one strike battalion and three reconnaissance battalions, with 102 total UAV crews. It will be based in Poroshino, in the Sverdlovsk region, according to reports.
Ukrainian officials see Russia’s recent move as a serious challenge. A retired Ukrainian naval officer told The War Zone that while Russia currently lacks the means to effectively counter Ukrainian sea drones, that could change with the formation of dedicated drone regiments.
“With the introduction of a naval drone command and having appropriate assets they could be more effective in countering our intentions,” the officer said.
