The Ukrainian Armed Forces outnumber russian forces in terms of FPV drones by a ratio of 1.5 to 1, and this advantage has continued to grow in recent months. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi has stated this following a monthly meeting on the development of unmanned systems.
"The development of unmanned systems is crucial for gaining an advantage over the Russian aggressor. And today we already have grounds to assert that in this competition of technology, innovation, and manufacturing capabilities, Ukraine is at least on par with the enemy, and in certain areas—is ahead of it," the Commander-in-Chief emphasized.
According to Syrskyi, in May, unmanned systems units struck nearly 180,000 verified enemy targets, including about 4,000 Shahed-type drones and 10,000 positions of russian UAV operators. "Another result is also telling: since the beginning of 2026, Ukrainian drone operators have neutralized 12,500 more Russian occupiers than the Russian Federation has recruited into its armed forces during the same period," he emphasized.
Separately, Syrskyi noted the role of ground robotic systems (GRS), which carried out 12,500 missions in May, providing frontline logistics and evacuating the wounded. At the same time, he noted that the potential of GRCs is significantly greater, but since the beginning of the year, the Defense Forces “have faced challenges in securing and supplying these systems.” Strikes using Middle Strike capabilities at an operational-tactical depth of up to 200 km are also showing positive momentum—in May, nearly 2,000 hits were recorded, including 414 enemy headquarters and command posts.
Despite these successes, Syrskyi urged against complacency, as military intelligence reports that “the enemy is also actively developing this capability, copying our successful management and technological solutions.” At the same time, russia itself is currently facing serious manpower shortages: since the beginning of the year, only 14,500 people have been recruited on contract for drone units, which is about 21% of their annual target.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, russia continues to rapidly ramp up drone production, while growth rates in other sectors of the defense industry are gradually slowing down. Drones are becoming one of the main areas of development for the russian military-industrial complex.
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