Ukraine unveiled a military unit dedicated to training soldiers in the use of unmanned systems.

Ukraine announces the creation of a new military unit entirely dedicated to drone operations, named "Typhoon," marking a decisive step in the evolution of its armed forces. This special unit, presented to the public on September 1, 2024, will focus on training soldiers in the advanced use of unmanned systems in military operations.
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A Ukrainian drone operator from the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade testing new military equipment including FPV drones on a training area in Donetsk Oblast (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

Lieutenant Colonel Maksym Skylar, head of the Unmanned Systems Department of the Ukrainian National Guard, emphasized that this initiative is a response to the growing importance of drones in modern warfare. "The National Guard, like all components of Ukraine's Defense Forces, is evolving toward unmanned systems," he said. Typhoon will focus exclusively on missions using various types of drones, providing direct operational support to combat brigades.

Mykhailo Kmytyuk, the unit’s commander, added that Typhoon aims not only to train soldiers in handling a wide range of drones but also to attract a variety of profiles, such as engineers and video game players, to join this new force. The unit will emphasize learning to use the latest drone systems, thereby strengthening Ukraine's ability to conduct reconnaissance and precise strike operations.

This announcement comes as the war between Russia and Ukraine turns into an increasingly sophisticated drone race. Both sides are developing unmanned systems to maintain their technological superiority on the battlefield. The launch of the Typhoon unit is part of this dynamic, marking a new phase in drone warfare, as both nations continue to heavily invest in drone technology to gain an advantage.

In line with this shift towards unmanned warfare, the conflict in Ukraine is sometimes referred to as the "war of the trees," as troops seek shelter from the ubiquitous drone surveillance in trees and forest cover.

Drones have been massively used throughout the war, whether for reconnaissance missions or surprise strikes against unsuspecting tanks or troops. However, electronic warfare, particularly signal jamming, has severely impacted the effectiveness of drones on the battlefield, disrupting the connection between the operator and their system.

Last month, evidence surfaced showing that Russia was using a fiber-optic drone in combat. The wired connection was seen as an effective countermeasure to electronic warfare and signal jamming. Autonomous drones have also been used by both sides to adapt to this situation.

But these adaptations are only the latest developments in a long saga, as both sides continue to develop new unmanned systems to maintain their advantage. Experts and war observers have described this as a "cat-and-mouse game," highlighting the importance that both Russia and Ukraine place on developing effective new drone forces.