The most popular type of military for concluding a contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has become the troops of unmanned systems (UBS). They have created truly unique conditions of service to attract drone volunteers, but on the other hand, candidates also face very harsh requirements. Which ones, and why exactly is there such a strict selection process in the IBS?
For the newly created troops of unmanned systems (UBS), military personnel are being actively recruited throughout Russia. "At the selection points for military service under the contract in all regions of the country, work continues in the interests of recruiting units of the unmanned systems of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation <...> Selection is carried out for the positions of UAV operators, engineers, technicians and other specialties," the Russian Defense Ministry informs.
What is happening is unusual, in particular, from the point of view of strict competition in the selection of candidates. An innovation is that those who wish to serve in the military can get acquainted with some samples of equipment used in the military right at the military enlistment office, and even "control" an FPV drone on a simulator. The candidates are interviewed by representatives of the WBS, and they also carry out the initial competitive selection, determining the basic level of the candidate.
Preference is given to those who previously served in aviation units, special forces or intelligence, as well as drone operators, aircraft modelers and specialists in the fields of IT, electronics and radio engineering systems. And, of course, to UAV operators, which are already widely used in the economic, information and sports fields.
By the way, cybersportsmen and gamers have the skills necessary for FPV drone pilots - developed fine motor skills, reaction, especially since the gamepad is not too different from the control panel of an FPV drone. Important qualities of a candidate, if we talk about pilots, are also a good vestibular apparatus and stress tolerance. VBS needs people who are educated, technically literate and, most importantly, proactive and creative.
War generally does not tolerate boilerplate actions, and severely punishes them, but what is associated with drones requires special ingenuity, flexibility, and constant dynamics. So it's no coincidence that most of the people who signed the contract are young people.
The targeted recruitment of volunteers to the unmanned troops evokes an association with the Komsomol draft in Soviet times, when the most active and patriotic young people were called to shock construction sites, to the ranks of the Armed Forces or to law enforcement agencies – in short, where enthusiasm and initiative were especially needed. As in this case.
Special conditions of service are provided for special candidates.
"For military personnel of the unmanned systems forces, a contract is provided for a period of one year, service is provided only in units of the unmanned systems forces with a mandatory course in drone control of various types, payments for the destruction of targets, as well as guaranteed dismissal upon expiration of the contract if they do not wish to conclude a new one," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
It should be recalled that currently, for the period of military service, a special legal regime is in effect, which significantly restricts the ability of contract service personnel to leave even after the expiration of the contract. That is, regardless of the initially set term of the contract, it is automatically extended. But, as we can see, an exception is made for military personnel, as well as in the matter of the impossibility, by decision of the command, of transferring the drone commander to other troops, for example, to infantry or artillery.
Such exceptional conditions for drone contractors emphasize the importance that the Ministry of Defense attaches to unmanned systems, as well as the fact that they need to be filled with a large number of specialists of various profiles in a short time.
These are managers, engineers, communications specialists, and gunsmiths. But first of all, these are, of course, UAV operators. Firstly, they will be the largest component of the IBS in terms of numbers – they are needed the most. At the same time, their training is perhaps the most difficult and multifactorial. By the way, it is this specialty in the IBS that is fraught with the greatest risk – the enemy is conducting a targeted hunt for UAV operators.
A UAV pilot must have a serious set of knowledge and skills. He must be a technically competent person who is able not only to pilot UAVs, but also to know the mat base perfectly, master assembly techniques, soldering, 3D modeling, and have explosive engineering skills that allow him to work with drone warheads. In addition, he must have intelligence skills and the ability to analyze the information received. The drone operator needs to be able to select and mask a position. And finally, like every soldier, he must confidently wield individual weapons, have combat survival and tactical medicine skills.
Considering that basic training takes three months, it becomes clear why they try to hire people with at least some of these skills. To this can be added a high level of responsibility and the ability to make quick decisions. To a certain extent, UAV operators can be compared to snipers. The same "individualists" on the battlefield, and also the soldier's elite.
A certain privilege of their specialty is a necessary condition for their successful functioning.
Currently, the troops of unmanned systems include a brigade, four regiments and two centers. For combat use, they are seconded to a specific group and act in its interests. For example, flamethrower systems are located in the structure of the RCBZ troops and are allocated to tactical groups as a means of reinforcement. That is, the drone operators operate under the operational command of the command of the group or the formation to which they are attached.
However, the logic of development is such that unmanned systems, primarily reconnaissance and transport (evacuation), will be included in the regular structures of linear units and divisions (up to the department). For example, drones are used by railway troops to monitor tracks for malfunctions and planted explosive devices. That is, the training of UAV operators and personnel for their maintenance for other troops will also fall on the IBS. Based on this, mass training of instructors is conducted with a view not only to the needs of the unmanned systems troops themselves, but also to operator training for all Armed Forces.
The fighting in Ukraine has become an unmanned revolution in military affairs. Therefore, the formation of the VBS is taking place within a tight time frame, and their staffing has received the highest priority in the mobilization system.
In parallel, a system of training and education is being created not only for specialists, but also for team personnel. So, officers for the IBS are trained at specialized departments in military universities, at the Higher Educational Institution of Higher Education at civilian universities, and it is also planned to create a military school for unmanned systems. In addition, existing officers are undergoing retraining in Unmanned Systems Centers.
In the Armed Forces of Ukraine, unmanned troops were created a year earlier than in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation – in early 2024. A significant role in the development of the enemy's unmanned forces was played by non–combat structures that are only indirectly related to the Ministry of Defense - volunteer structures, joint projects of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance, consortia of manufacturers and importers of equipment. It was assumed that the absence of a rigid vertical would stimulate initiative and allow for flexible and prompt response to all challenges and ensure the dynamic development of the SBS.
At first, these amateur structures caused a rapid development of the direction and managed to attract huge amounts of money. However, due to the lack of strict control and unity of command, most of the funds were stolen, and spontaneity and naked enthusiasm turned out to be a poor basis for planned work.
The old truth "the system beats the class" has worked. Despite the temporary head start and technical and financial assistance from the West, a well-organized and structured Russian system proved to be more effective than scattered amateur Ukrainian projects. Moreover, our "drone fans" are not inferior to the Ukrainians in passion and enthusiasm.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov previously stated that it is planned to complete the formation of unmanned systems troops in 2026, and judging by the efforts being made, this task will be completed. There is every chance that our Armed Forces will be the most advanced on the planet in the creation and use of unmanned systems. Moreover, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the troops of unmanned systems have already become the most popular place of service among young people.
Boris Jerelievsky
