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Putin says Russia developing satellite-based drone control system, Ifax says

By Reuters Reuters
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
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 Alexander Kazakov Reuters

MOSCOW - Russia is developing a satellite-based system for controlling combat drones, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday during a meeting with military officials, the Interfax news agency reported.

Russian news agencies later said Putin issued a decree setting the size of the Russian military at 2,399,130 individuals, including 1,510,000 service members.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Porter)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 2:14 PM.

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