President Vladimir Putin said Russia is developing a satellite-based system intended to control combat drones, Interfax reported. State media also said he signed a decree fixing the size of the armed forces at 2,399,130 personnel, including 1,510,000 service members. The move underscores Russia's push to combine space-enabled communications with drone operations, though officials gave no technical details or timetable.
Putin Says Russia Developing Satellite-Controlled System For Combat Drones; Armed Forces Size Fixed At 2.4M
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with service members of the Russian armed forces involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine, following an award ceremony marking Russia Day national holiday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 12, 2026. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS
Moscow, June 12 — President Vladimir Putin told military officials on Friday that Russia is developing a satellite-based system to control combat drones, the Interfax news agency reported.
State news outlets later said Putin signed a decree fixing the size of the Russian armed forces at 2,399,130 people, including 1,510,000 service members.
Details And Context
Officials did not provide technical specifications or a timeline for the satellite control system. The announcement, reported by Interfax and relayed by international news agencies, highlights Moscow's effort to integrate space-enabled capabilities with unmanned aerial combat operations.
Observers note that satellite links can extend drone range and resilience, but they also raise questions about vulnerabilities to jamming and counter-space measures. No immediate operational changes or deployment dates were announced.
Reporting: Reuters (Interfax cited). Edited by Kevin Liffey and Mark Porter.
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