Top Ukrainian drone commander says elite pilots hitting Russian troops at extreme close range

"The leader of Ukraine's special drone branch said his operators are striking advancing Russian infantry at extreme close range, providing rare insight into how some of the country's best pilots are fighting. Maj. Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, wrote in a statement on Sunday that his pilots have, over the last month, been engaging enemy troops at an average strike depth of 1.44 km, or 0.89 miles, from the line of contact."

"That's a roughly 10-minute brisk walk for the average person. "This figure fluctuates, but: We are literally working under our feet," Madyar wrote. His remarks reflect how top Ukrainian commanders in some areas have been prioritizing their limited resources. Using elite strike crews for short-range suppression could also be a sign of heightened pressure on Ukrainian lines. The Unmanned Systems Forces is a relatively new elite formation in Ukraine that focuses on providing strike or reconnaissance support with smaller drones."

Maj. Robert "Madyar" Brovdi leads the Unmanned Systems Forces, an elite Ukrainian drone formation focused on strike and reconnaissance with smaller drones. Twelve combat crews within the branch operate on roughly 30% of the front line. Over the last month, crews have engaged advancing Russian infantry at an average depth of 1.44 km (0.89 miles) from the contact line, often working at extremely close range. Corps commanders have been deploying these elite strike teams for short-range suppression against ground assaults. The intensified use of scarce elite crews at close distance signals heightened pressure on Ukrainian lines and prioritization of limited resources.

Read at Business Insider