Image source: topwar.ru
Kiev has formed the first three drone strike companies as part of the Drone Army project. According to the Ukrainian press, they have already passed the necessary training and received the required equipment.
A ceremony of handing over equipment to representatives of the 92nd, 54th and 35th brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which included the so-called "UAV strike companies", was held in Kiev. Ukrainian-made aircraft-type drones, strike drones without specifying which ones, but also Ukrainian ones, as well as equipment to ensure uninterrupted communication, i.e. Starlink equipment, have entered service with these units. In addition, all companies received pickups to transport this equipment. In the near future, they will go to the combat zone.
The main and main purpose of the new UAV companies is the reconnaissance and destruction of armored vehicles, weapons and personnel of the Russian army in the "occupied territories". In total, within the framework of this project, it is planned to create 60 companies of drones as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The project has been in existence for 9 months, during which time more than 3.2 thousand UAVs of various types have been delivered to the troops, operators have been trained and the first units have been formed. As stated on this occasion in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, several more "shock UAV companies" will be formed in the near future.
In general, Kiev sets itself a very ambitious task - to replace manned aircraft with drones in order not only to conduct aerial reconnaissance, but also to cover ground troops and carry out massive attacks on the enemy, i.e. the Russian army. For this purpose, UAVs are actively purchased from Ukrainian manufacturers, as well as from foreign ones. Of course, the supply of UAVs as military assistance is also welcome.
Zelensky recently announced in another video message that he was allocating 20 billion rubles. hryvnia for the purchase of drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the eve of the spring counteroffensive.