Ukraine's New Drone Boss Is Getting Results, On and Off Battlefield
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's appointment of Robert "Madyar" Brovdi as Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces has formalized the frontline role of one of the country's most prolific drone warfighters.
Brovdi, who led the elite aerial reconnaissance unit "Birds of the Madyar," was tapped for the top drone command in late May, replacing Vadym Sukharevskyi. Known for his aggressive style, Brovdi's unit had already gained national attention for pioneering Ukraine's FPV (First-Person-View) drone assaults against entrenched Russian positions.
But Brovdi's fight isn't limited to countering Russian forces—he's also targeting the morale of their recruits, using viral battlefield footage to wage a psychological war.
Why It Matters
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have evolved from supplemental tools into essential weapons in the Ukraine-Russia war, redefining modern combat on both strategic and tactical levels. Initially used for reconnaissance, drones now execute precision strikes, destroy armored vehicles, and provide real-time battlefield intelligence.
Ukraine's defense ministry says drone strikes are now responsible for up to 80 percent of Russian battlefield casualties. In May alone, Ukrainian drones destroyed over 89,000 Russian targets, according to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
Robert Brovdi's elevation signals a structural shift in how Ukraine is organizing its war effort, with the Unmanned Systems Forces expected to play a decisive role in upcoming campaigns.
Robert Brovdi's elevation signals a structural shift in how Ukraine is organizing its war effort, with the Unmanned Systems Forces expected to play a decisive role in upcoming campaigns.
By Птахи Мадяра 414ОБ - Птахи Мадяра 414ОБ, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144921772
What To Know
The promotion of 49-year-old Robert Brovdi, known by his call sign "Madyar," formalized what many in Kyiv and beyond had already recognized: drone warfare is now the backbone of Ukraine's military strategy. His appointment as commander of Ukraine's newly formed Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) underscores the central role drones now play in the country's defense.
General Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told reporters that Brovdi's leadership is already yielding results. "He is an experienced man with vast experience, who went through the war as a volunteer, platoon, company, battalion, regiment, brigade commander, and now he is the commander of this new kind of troops," Syrskyi said, according to Censor.NET.
Badaboom!🔥🍞
Robert Brovdi "Madyar" (Lord of the Drones) and his birds burn a Russian tank! pic.twitter.com/5eWM5ajoxY — Challenger Tank In Ukraine🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@ChallengerInUA) January 15, 2025
Originally from the western city of Uzhhorod, Brovdi quickly took on operational duties. His swift rise—from conscript to drone commander—drew strong reactions from Russian pro-war bloggers, who contrasted Ukraine's meritocratic approach with Russia's rigid military hierarchy.
Soon after taking command, Brovdi outlined a development plan for the USF that focused on boosting domestic munitions production, deploying robotic logistics systems to the front lines and expanding drone pilot training.
A still image from footage of Operation Spiderweb published by Ukraine's security services.
A still image from footage of Operation Spiderweb published by Ukraine's security services.
SBU
Those plans quickly moved from paper to the battlefield. On June 1, Ukrainian FPV drones struck strategic air bases in four Russian regions as part of Operation Spiderweb—a stunning surprise attack some pro-Moscow bloggers compared to "Russia's Pearl Harbor."
The operation involved the covert deployment of 117 drones targeting long-range aviation sites deep inside Russian territory. The drones were smuggled across the border in wooden containers with removable roofs, hidden on civilian trucks.
Brovdi has also weaponized social media. His Telegram channel, followed by around half a million users, regularly features narrated footage of drones tracking and killing Russian soldiers. "We promote these killings to cause moral and psychological damage to the enemy," he told the Times of Britain. "Maybe some Russian Ivan will see these videos and think: 'Why the hell should I go there for money? They'll just kill me.'"
He claimed that each of his fallen pilots had taken out around 1,000 Russian soldiers, though the numbers couldn't be independently verified. "Our goal," he said, "is to trade the lives of Russian soldiers for our drones—just plastic and metal.
Good morning!☕️🔥
The Russian EW system is not helpful as Ukraine has fibre optics FPV, and the tank got Badaboom!🔥🍞
Robert Brovdi "Madyar" (Lord of the Drones) and his unit. pic.twitter.com/Q0K1Tap5g6 — Challenger Tank In Ukraine🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@ChallengerInUA) January 7, 2025
At his underground base, drone operators—known as "Madyar's Birds"—work 12-hour shifts monitoring live drone feeds. The walls are covered with destroyed or captured Russian UAVs, including a battered Merlin reconnaissance drone capable of flying nearly 400 miles, displayed like a war trophy, according to the Times.
Brovdi's unit also benefits from a video-game like, performance-based incentive program. Crews earn points for confirmed kills and equipment strikes—six for a soldier, 40 for a tank—which can be exchanged for new gear. Digital Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told Politico that Brovdi's team has already accumulated enough points to receive more than 1,100 new drones.
What Happens Next
On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Zelensky on the sidelines of the NATO summit and suggested that increased spending by the trans-Atlantic alliance could help prevent future Russian aggression against its neighbors.
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