(Ukraine’s specialized drone branch is being forced into high-risk, “under-feet” combat to prevent Russian infantry from overrunning front-line trenches, revealing the extreme pressure on the 2026 contact line.)
The commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), Major Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, delivered a sobering reality check on Sunday, January 25, 2026, regarding the state of drone warfare. Brovdi revealed that his 12 elite strike crews are now engaging Russian infantry at a terrifying average distance of just 1.44 kilometers (0.89 miles)—essentially a “15-minute brisk walk” from their own positions. This shift to “tactical depth” suppression marks a desperate adaptation as Russian ground assaults relentlessly pressure Ukrainian defensive lines.
While elite drone units typically prioritize high-value targets like air defense systems and logistics hubs deep behind enemy lines, Brovdi noted that December 2025 saw a dramatic pivot. Nearly 40% of his unit’s successful strikes were aimed directly at infantry clusters, impacting an estimated 12,000 Russian soldiers in a single month. This focus on short-range “suppression” is a response to the pleas of ground corps commanders who are struggling to protect outnumbered soldiers in high-casualty trench warfare.
The Unmanned Systems Forces, a specialized branch established in June 2025, currently covers only 30% of the front line. Brovdi warned that to move back to “proper operational depth”—striking enemy formations before they reach the contact line—Ukraine requires at least three times more specialized crews than are currently deployed. Until then, these elite pilots remain locked in a brutal “under-the-feet” battle to prevent a complete breach of the Ukrainian front.
