The war in Ukraine has emerged as the first major conflict characterized by extensive unmanned systems deployment, fundamentally transforming modern warfare. Ukrainian forces have devastated the Russian Black Sea Fleet using unmanned surface vessels, while Russia has conducted deep-strike campaigns against Ukrainian cities with Iranian-made SHAHED-136 kamikaze drones. Both sides now deploy tens of thousands of first-person-view (FPV) drones monthly, effectively replacing traditional mortars and artillery with more precise and cost-effective alternatives.

Following significant naval defeats, Russia has announced the formation of 5 specialized unmanned vehicle regiments within its naval structure. Each major fleet - Black Sea, Northern, and Baltic - will receive one regiment, while the Pacific Fleet gets two due to its vast operational area. Additional units will support the Caspian Sea Flotilla and the Dnieper River Flotilla along the Ukrainian front. These regiments will conduct reconnaissance missions, offensive strikes against naval and coastal targets, and defensive operations protecting Russian installations.

Current Russian inventory includes ORLAN reconnaissance drones, LANCET-3 loitering munitions, and FORPOST tactical drones derived from Israeli technology. The FORPOST platform combines reconnaissance capabilities through its advanced dual-band radar with strike potential using Kh-BPLA air-to-surface missiles. Russia expects significant reinforcement through INOKHODETS medium-altitude drones, comparable to US PREDATOR systems. These platforms have already proven their worth, with one Inokhodets destroying a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel in February 2025.

A key innovation is the SKOVORETS-VMF maritime first-person-view (FPV) drone, featuring ten-kilometer range and 1.5-kilogram payload capacity. These quadcopters include specialized marine-environment housing and vibration-resistant systems, enabling launch from fast vessels. They operate in swarms from conventional platforms like BK-16 assault craft and advanced unmanned vessels including the ORKAN (pictured) and GRK-700 VIZIR.

The tactical concept for SKOVORETS-VMF encompasses anti-ship and coastal missions. While individual warheads cannot achieve catastrophic ship damage, coordinated swarm attacks target sensor systems through precise guidance, creating vulnerabilities for subsequent missile strikes. The anti-ship capability also provides defence against enemy unmanned surface vessels, where small warheads remain effective against lightly protected targets. Coastal missions support amphibious operations without exposing larger naval units.

However, Russian developments largely replicate Ukrainian innovations rather than pioneering original concepts. Ukrainian forces initially used unmanned surface vessels as kamikaze platforms before evolving them into sophisticated armed systems with machine guns and missiles. Advanced Ukrainian platforms now deploy and control multiple drones while serving as communication relays. This capability was demonstrated in January when a Ukrainian vessel deployed a drone to destroy a Russian PANTSIR-S1 air defence system. The Ukrainian KATRAN-3 exemplifies this evolution, simultaneously controlling four drones from a waterproof deck container.

Despite technological advances, Russia faces fundamental communication challenges limiting operational effectiveness. Low-latency links between unmanned systems and remote operators remain problematic. Russian officials acknowledge lacking a comprehensive satellite system comparable to STARLINK, though reports suggest Russian forces may already utilize STARLINK terminals acquired through clandestine channels, despite official company denials.

The establishment of dedicated unmanned regiments represents Russia's recognition that drone warfare has become central to modern naval operations. The Ukrainian conflict has demonstrated that small, relatively inexpensive unmanned systems can achieve strategic effects against conventional naval forces. As both sides continue developing these capabilities, the conflict serves as a testing ground for future naval warfare concepts, where swarms of coordinated unmanned systems may fundamentally alter traditional naval power projection and coastal defence strategies.

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