Author Archives: John Hardie

John Hardie is the deputy director of FDD’s Russia Program and a contributor to FDD's Long War Journal.
Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov

Russia announces plans to form Unmanned Systems Forces

Russia unveiled plans to form a new branch dealing with unmanned systems, echoing a similar move by Ukraine. This decision reflects both the increasing importance of drones and a desire to systematize related evolutions within the Russian military.



Russian rocket fire

Russia closes in on “fortress” city of Vuhledar

Russia is close to capturing the city of Vuhledar, a defensive stronghold in eastern Ukraine. Vuhledar’s fall will further stretch Kyiv’s forces and aid Russia’s efforts to push Ukraine out of southern Donetsk Oblast.




Ukraine offensive in Russia

Analysis: Ukraine’s bold—and risky—gamble in Kursk

Ukraine’s surprise offensive in the Kursk region is a daring gambit likely intended to divert Russian forces and shift the war’s momentum. But it also comes with major risks for Ukraine, which is short on reserves and struggling to hold its lines in Donetsk Oblast.



Chasiv Yar Ukraine

Key Russian division gets new commander amid stalled offensive at Chasiv Yar

A June 22 message on a Telegram channel affiliated with the Russian 98th Guards Airborne Division seems to indicate Major General Yevgeny N. Tonkikh has been replaced as the division’s commander. The reason for the change is unclear, though it could be tied to stalled Russian progress in the city of Chasiv Yar, among other possible reasons.


Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi

Ukraine’s new Unmanned Systems Forces takes shape

Ukraine announced the commander of its nascent Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi. Sukharevskyi detailed various plans for the USF and how Ukraine plans to continue leveraging unmanned technology in its conflict with Russia.