Occupants set up a training center for UAV operators in Crimea: new threats for Odesa

In the occupied Crimea, the Russian administration announced the creation of a large-scale training center for unmanned systems operators. A full cycle of training for UAV troops has allegedly been formed on the peninsula - from training young people to training active military personnel.

UNIAN spoke to Captain (1st Rank) Andriy Ryzhenko, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Navy, about the possible consequences of the creation of such a center for Ukraine's security.

According to him, Russia is actively developing the field of maritime drones, actually copying Ukrainian developments. After unmanned attacks proved to be effective, this area became part of Russia's state policy. At the same time, the expert emphasizes, the use of maritime drones is not a critically important tool for the occupiers, as Russia has a significant arsenal of cruise and ballistic missiles to strike Ukrainian cities, including Odesa, Mykolaiv and port infrastructure.

Ryzhenko noted that the main purpose of Ukrainian naval drones was to strike surface ships due to a lack of anti-ship missiles. Instead, Russia may use the drones for sabotage tasks, such as attacks on maritime infrastructure, blocking ports, or attempts to block sea lanes.

Among the new Russian developments is the Skorlupa drone, which can act as a carrier for FPV drones. According to the expert, this concept largely repeats Ukrainian solutions. However, Russia faces two key problems: a shortage of high-quality engines and difficulties with long-range control systems without access to satellite services.

At the same time, Ryzhenko believes that the creation of a training center in Crimea is more of a political and propaganda nature. The peninsula has long been transformed into a powerful military foothold of the Russian Federation with deployed Bal, Bastion, Kalibr, X-35 and Iskander missile systems. In this context, the new infrastructure does not change the strategic role of Crimea, but increases the risks of sabotage and attacks against civilian infrastructure.

The expert also emphasizes that the militarization of young people in Russia is not a new phenomenon, but a continuation of Soviet practices. The training of drone operators "from the school desk" indicates the Kremlin's long-term bet on a protracted confrontation and an attempt to compensate for problems with mobilization resources.

In the long run, further militarization of Crimea poses significant risks to the entire Black Sea region. At the same time, according to Ryzhenko, Russia is trying to copy Ukrainian approaches, and this is unlikely to give it a decisive advantage in the Black Sea.

The invaders are also trying to bypass Ukraine and convince the United States to recognize Crimea as Russian territory. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives on February 7, 2026. The Head of State explained that Moscow deliberately addresses these signals directly to Washington, as it realizes that it is impossible to obtain such consent from Kyiv.

Анна Бальчінос