Ukrainian Drones Strike 2,000 km Inside Russia, Says Commander of Unmanned Systems Forces

Interview with Robert Brovdi on Ukraine's Drone Capabilities

According to ХВИЛЯ: Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, known by the call sign Madyar, told the BBC that Kyiv is ramping up long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. He highlighted the effectiveness of drones and outlined plans to target enemy personnel. Brovdi noted that while his forces make up just 2% of Ukraine's total military, they are responsible for destroying one-third of all targets hit.

Drone units suffer annual losses of less than 1%. Over the past week, Ukrainian drones struck dozens of officers from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) in occupied areas, as well as several energy facilities inside Russia. Brovdi explained that domestically produced drones can travel over 1,000 km, while some models can cover twice that distance-more than 2,000 km.

Plans and Attack Outcomes

The commander emphasized that the target rate for eliminating enemy soldiers exceeds 30,000 per month, a benchmark the Ukrainian military has met for four consecutive months. Notably, 30% of all drone strikes are intended to target military personnel.

“You can call it a destruction plan, yes, and right now we are exceeding it.” - Robert Brovdi

Brovdi, an ethnic Hungarian from Uzhhorod, worked as a grain trader and art collector before Russia's full-scale invasion. He fought in the Battle of Bakhmut, and his unit later became known as the 414th Brigade, or Madyar's Birds. Discussing long-range strikes, he said:

“Territory 1,500 to 2,000 km inside Russia is no longer a peaceful rear. The freedom-loving Ukrainian bird flies there whenever and wherever it wants.” - Robert Brovdi

The commander also addressed attack targets:

• If oil refineries are a tool for making money used to fund the war, they are legitimate military targets and must be destroyed.

Responding to potential criticism of Ukrainian actions, Brovdi remarked: “What is he smoking? That's unrealistic. It's absurd.”

Brovdi's statements underscore a shift in Ukrainian tactics, with drones playing a central role in achieving strategic objectives across vast distances. This reflects ongoing advancements in Ukraine's warfare technology and a push for proactive operations on enemy soil, which could significantly alter the conflict's trajectory. At the same time, his comments on targeting may spark renewed debate over the ethics of modern warfare and the legality of military actions in today's conflicts.

The ongoing advancements in Ukraine's drone capabilities are not just limited to long-range strikes. In fact, the expansion of the drone corps to 165,000 personnel is expected to significantly enhance operational effectiveness, allowing for even greater monthly strike totals. This growth highlights the strategic importance of unmanned systems in Ukraine's military efforts, reinforcing the impact of recent strikes deep within Russian territory.