Colonel Robert Brovdi replaces Vadym Sukharevskyi as Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces
On the evening of June 3, 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a leadership change within the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
“Today, we approved the appointment of Robert Brovdi as Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces. This is also a greater focus on combat matters. The successful experience of the best brigades must be scaled up throughout the army. Vadym Sukharevskyi has been appointed Deputy Commander of the Operational Command ‘East,’ and his primary task is the modernization of this command,” the president stated.
The new Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces is Colonel Robert Brovdi, callsign "Magyar", who previously led the 414th Separate Brigade of Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Sukharevskyi’s Comment
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi responded to the decision via Facebook:
“Almost a year has passed since the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine—a separate branch of forces that we formed under the conditions of full-scale war in the shortest possible time and in circumstances that required quick, asymmetric decisions.
Together with comrades, we went from an idea to effective Unmanned Systems Forces that bring victory closer every day. We assembled this team not by order but by calling—people who believed in the idea, just as I did, who invested not only knowledge, experience, and time into the USF but also their hearts.
I am proud to have had the honor of leading the USF during the first, most challenging year of its formation. We formed and immediately reinforced in practice the principles on which this unique branch of forces operates. In the USF's portfolio are our own innovations, unique and successful operations, and a new model of responsible recruitment.
At this stage, our visions for the future of the USF diverged with the leadership. Therefore, I believe ending my tenure as commander is an honest and professional decision. I remain in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and committed to an idea greater than any position.”
— Colonel Vadym "Borsuk" Sukharevskyi