Putin Names Denis Lyamin to Head New Russian Drone Forces in Military Reshuffle

By: Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | August 5, 2026

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday named Colonel General Denis Lyamin to lead Russia’s newly created Unmanned Systems Forces, formalizing a branch of the military dedicated entirely to drone warfare as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year.

Putin announced the appointment during a televised meeting with defense ministry chiefs, calling it part of a broader “refinement” of the military structure. He described Lyamin as “one of the most qualified specialists” in the field and tasked him with completing the formation of the new forces and taking command “in the near future”.

Putin announced the appointment during a televised meeting with defense ministry chiefs, calling it part of a broader “refinement” of the military structure. He described Lyamin as “one of the most qualified specialists” in the field and tasked him with completing the formation of the new forces and taking command “in the near future”.

A Drone Branch for a Drone War

Drones have come to dominate the 1,200 km front line in Ukraine, used not only for reconnaissance and strikes at the front but also for deep attacks on energy infrastructure, warehouses, and targets at sea.

Russia created the Unmanned Systems Forces last year, following Ukraine’s lead. Kyiv established its own Unmanned Systems Forces in mid-2024 and last month announced a “long-range impact” command to coordinate strikes deep inside Russia.

Putin said the new Russian branch would bring together “good experience” from units that have already been operating drones at scale. Deputy commander Col. Sergei Ishtuganov said operational regiments and command bodies have already been formed at all levels.Russia has been working to catch up to Ukraine, which has benefited from Western funding and engineers to rapidly expand its drone capabilities. Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has pushed the “Rubicon Center for Advanced Unmanned Technologies” to develop and test new robotic systems and AI-powered drones.

Other Command Changes

The reshuffle moved several senior commanders.

Col. Gen. Valery Solodchuk, commander of the “Centre” group of forces that has been pushing toward Donetsk cities Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, will take charge of all military logistics in a new rear-area command. He is replaced by Col. Gen. Andrei Ivanayev, previously head of the Eastern group of forces.Lyamin himself was previously chief of staff for the “Centre” group, which Putin praised as one of the military’s “leading units” for “carrying out the most important and critical tasks in liberating the Donetsk People’s Republic”.

A tank command school graduate, Lyamin has a background in the ground forces.Analysts say the changes reflect Putin’s preference to rotate existing commanders rather than publicly fire them for underperformance, even as Russia’s summer offensive has produced only small territorial gains.

Drone Attacks Escalate

The appointment comes amid a surge in drone strikes by both sides. Overnight Russian missile and drone attacks hit Kyiv, killing at least 17 people and exploiting shortages of air-defense missiles. Ukraine has also hit Russian oil depots, refineries and logistics hubs, including warehouses belonging to retailer Wildberries.

On Tuesday, a car bombing killed the driver of Andrei Tkachuk, a prominent Russian drone maker known for “Vampire” first-person drones used on the front lines. It was the second attack in a week on Russian drone developers. Ukraine plans to expand its Unmanned Systems Forces to 165,500 personnel by the end of 2026, signaling both sides see drones as the central weapon of the next phase of the war.

Putin concluded the meeting by stressing that air defense and drone development must be prioritized in the new state armaments program.