Today, for the first time, we mark the Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and from now on, each year, June 11 will be a day of our gratitude to the warriors of the Unmanned Systems Forces.
Modern warfare can no longer be imagined without drones, and Ukrainian unmanned systems are operating successfully at different levels: from carrying out missions on the frontline to striking important enemy facilities hundreds of kilometers deep inside its territory. All of this is being documented, and it is thanks to the precision and skill of our operators that Russia’s losses have long exceeded 30,000 killed and wounded per month.
I thank each and every person serving in the Unmanned Systems Forces, developing Ukrainian technologies, and working for the sake of our advantage on the battlefield. Thank you to everyone who is working to reduce Russia’s capabilities and strengthen our security.
Today, I signed a decree establishing a new special day – the Day of the Unmanned Systems Forces. From now on, it will be observed every year on June 11. A day of our respect and gratitude to the USF.
For the first time in the world, such a branch of the military was created – in Ukraine. We are developing the USF to the max, and it is Ukrainians who have proved that through technology, ingenuity, and courage, we can change the nature of warfare. We can achieve objectives that were previously either completely out of reach of conventional weapons or extremely difficult to achieve and required an enormous expenditure of resources.
In just one year since the establishment of the USF Grouping, Russian targets of various levels worth nearly $40 billion have been struck. Most importantly, these are different types of strikes, and each one expands our ability to save lives.
The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are truly a model for many other militaries.
Our long-range sanctions carried out by the warriors of the Security Service of Ukraine, the Unmanned Systems Forces, the Special Operations Forces, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine have yielded good results. Important facilities on Russian territory were hit last night.
Among them was the Petersburg Oil Terminal. The distance from Ukraine’s state border to this facility of Russia’s oil industry, which serves the war, is about 1,100 kilometers. Purely military targets at the Kronstadt base were also hit.
Another target was an enterprise in the Tambov region involved in the production of Russian weapons. The distance from the frontline is almost 600 kilometers.
I thank our warriors for their precision. Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer. Glory to Ukraine!
Today, I presented state awards of Ukraine to the people without whom Operation “Spiderweb” would not have happened. We have no right to name them – everything remains absolutely classified and will remain so for a long time. This is already a historic operation by the Security Service of Ukraine, one that was carefully prepared, and on this very day one year ago, it entered its final stage – striking Russian military equipment. Farther than Ukrainian long-range capabilities had ever reached before. As precisely as no one in Russia expected. And as justly as the enemy’s strategic aviation deserves.
“Spiderweb” destroyed or at least damaged 41 aircraft. Never before had Russia lost such equipment, in such numbers, and as a result of strikes by drones that were incomparably cheaper. Ukraine has once again proved that it knows how to act asymmetrically, that it defends itself actively and truly creatively, and that Russia has no chance of overcoming Ukrainian courage. Ukraine will always be one step ahead – in technology, in bravery, and in the ability to capture the world’s attention and rally the support of millions of human hearts.
Ukraine is now applying long-range sanctions against Russia for this war literally every day. We did not start this war, we did not provoke it, and the only thing we wanted for Ukraine and Ukrainians was peace. But as long as the Russians choose the opposite, and as long as Russia does everything to drag out this war and expand it, Ukrainians will continue to find responses that will definitely work. I thank all our warriors for their precision! I thank the Security Service of Ukraine for its long-range leadership! I thank everyone who helps us! Glory to Ukraine!
🔥🇺🇦Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine struck 🇷🇺Russian Mi-28 and Mi-17 helicopters that were at a refueling point in Voronezh Oblast.
At least one specialist was killed, reported the commander "Magyar"