Ukraine’s military leadership has approved a sweeping expansion of its drone warfare capabilities, with plans to enhance strike precision and range in 2026, according to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umierov. The decision came during a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff held on 13 January, where officials also focused on bolstering drone command systems and funding mechanisms.
The frontlines of the Russo-Ukrainian war have been transformed by drone warfare, as short-range aerial drones have made traditional surprise armored breakthroughs nearly impossible. While Russia continues to expand its drone production, Ukraine is scaling up its efforts in response.
Focus on unmanned capabilities and battlefield technology
At the meeting, Ukraine’s top military and security leadership reportedly assessed Russia’s expected battlefield posture for the first half of 2026, placing particular emphasis on technological dynamics and drone warfare. Umierov said that intelligence briefings shaped the discussion, with officials identifying the need to boost the unmanned component of the Armed Forces.
The outcome was a decision to raise the effectiveness of the Drone Line by strengthening its management structure and ensuring it receives sufficient material support.
Defense officials agreed to prioritize both the operational and logistical dimensions of drone integration.
Defense Ministry ordered to redistribute funds and scale drone production
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry was tasked with reorganizing its budget allocation between various strike systems to better meet the immediate needs of the Armed Forces. Umerov added that the ministry must also identify new financial reserves to support this effort.
Special attention was given to scaling up the production of fiber-optic drones. These unmanned systems are designed to achieve longer-range attacks with higher precision, a capability considered crucial for countering Russian forces across the front.
“Unmanned technologies are one of the key factors in deterring the enemy,” Umerov noted, stressing that the decisions taken by the Staff are aimed at strengthening this capability systematically.
Umerov previously announced the launch of the Drone Line project on 9 February 2025, describing it as a revolutionary effort to integrate UAVs and infantry into a single offensive network. At the time, he said the system would radically strengthen Ukrainian brigades and institutionalize successful tactics used to destroy Russian troops.
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