Meet the Elite Ukrainian Drone Units, ‘Ace’ Pilots Targeting Russian Fuel Trucks, Logistics

Key Points:

• Ukraine's elite Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), consisting of about 5,000 personnel, are conducting a relentless "middle strike" drone campaign targeting Russian military logistics and supply lines across occupied southern Ukraine, significantly disrupting Russian operations.
• The 1st Separate Center USF, founded by special operations veterans, specializes in striking high-value targets such as Russian air defenses and command posts, notably damaging Russian airfields and aircraft in June 2024.
• The 414th Brigade "Ptakhi Madyara," led by civilian commander Robert Brovdi, is Ukraine’s most effective large-scale drone unit, with sub-units like the 9th Battalion "Kairos" and 2nd Battalion "Wormbusters" actively targeting logistics and air defenses in the Donetsk region.
• Other key USF units include the 20th Brigade "K-2," pioneering ground robot and drone reconnaissance, and the 412th Brigade "Nemesis," specializing in multi-domain strikes and recognized for their success in NATO exercises.
• Recent operations have focused on disrupting Russian supply routes and infrastructure, including attacks on bridges and highways connecting Crimea to occupied territories, with units like the 475th Separate Assault Regiment "Code 9.2" playing a leading role in these efforts.