The Russian army has received more than 1,800 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types over the past six years, the Russian Defense Ministry newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda said. "A qualitative leap has been made in the development of unmanned aviation over the past few years. Close to 40 military units and subdivisions have been created over those years. They have received more than 1,800 modern unmanned aerial vehicles for operational service what makes it possible to conduct reconnaissance at a depth of up to 500 kilometers," the newspaper wrote.

Pchela-1 drone displayed at Army 2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The fight and technical characteristics of Russian drones are being improved too. "For example, the development of advanced systems capable of fulfilling tasks at depths close to 3,000 kilometers is nearing completion," Krasnaya Zvezda went on to say. The capabilities of unmanned aviation reconnaissance groups, the publication said, had increased 15 times over the past six years.

New drones are effectively used in radio-electronic warfare. They can also provide communication and destroy targets by fire as part of reconnaissance strike force and reconnaissance fire groups. According to Krasnaya Zvezda, unmanned aerial vehicles have considerably increased the combat abilities and efficiency of employment of combined-arms and artillery units as well as operational tactical aviation in the interests of which drones are used.