Putin Appoints General Lyamin as Commander of Drone Forces
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made changes at the top of the military, appointing Major General Denis Lyamin to lead unmanned aerial vehicle units, a move long anticipated.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made changes at the top of the military, appointing Major General Denis Lyamin to lead unmanned aerial vehicle units, a move long anticipated.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gathered top officials from the Russian Ministry of Defense for a meeting at the Kremlin and appointed Major General Denis Lyamin as the new commander of Russia's armed forces responsible for combat drones. The news was announced on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and was reported by British television network Sky News.
Putin initially announced the creation of these specialized forces on November 12, 2025, but no further details about the unit's formation had been provided since then. During the appointment, the Russian president praised Lyamin's expertise with drones, describing him as "one of the most qualified specialists in this field".
The Kremlin chief explained that this appointment is part of what he called "refining" the military structure, at a time when the war in Ukraine has entered the second half of its fifth year.
The move comes as a direct response to similar activities on the Ukrainian side. Last month, Ukraine announced the creation of its own command responsible for "long-range strikes." President Volodymyr Zelensky also carried out a reshuffle at the top of the Ministry of Defense and the armed forces, although he faced protests over these changes.
In addition to Lyamin's appointment, Putin also named new heads for the logistics service of the Russian Ministry of Defense, as well as for the "Center" and "East" groups during the same meeting.
