New Drone Units Join Ukraine’s Deep Strike Efforts

(KYIV) – Ukrainian forces are expanding the use of long range drone operations, with multiple specialised units increasing their role in deep strike missions against Russian targets.

A video released on 21 April by the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems, known as “Magyar’s Birds”, shows preparations behind the scenes of drone operations. The footage highlights the labour intensive process required to support sustained strike activity beyond the front lines.

According to the unit, the Unmanned Systems Forces grouping is increasing the use of Middle Strike and Deep Strike capabilities. These operations involve coordinated drone missions targeting positions at varying distances behind Russian lines.

The effort includes teams from the 1st Centre of Unmanned Systems Forces, pilots from the “Kairos” battalion, the 414th Brigade “Magyar’s Birds”, as well as units from the 412th Brigade “Nemesis”, the 413th unit “Raid”, and the “Phoenix” unit.

From early May, additional trained drone pilots from four further units of the Unmanned Systems Forces are expected to join deep strike operations. This expansion is intended to increase both the scale and frequency of strikes.

The video emphasises that such operations require sustained preparation, coordination and technical expertise. Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on unmanned systems as a cost effective way to strike targets deep behind enemy positions.

The unit also referenced an online tracking platform where the results of operations can be monitored in real time.

The footage was released by the press service of the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems “Magyar’s Birds”. The exact operational locations were not disclosed.