- Dette innlegget er også tilgjengelig på norsk.
Fritt Ukraina has delivered 70 vehicles to the Ukrainian drone brigade “Magyar’s Birds.” Commander Robert Brovdi expresses his gratitude for the support.
Winter is soon loosening its grip on Donbas, and the cold temperatures make it easier for Ukrainian soldiers to move through the terrain. In this situation, an important delivery has arrived for the 414th Separate Brigade for Unmanned Systems.
The brigade’s commander, Robert Brovdi, known as “Magyar,” reports on the completion of a large-scale vehicle procurement for the unit.
Watch the video: Magyar thanks Fritt Ukraina.
Fundraising Campaign
“On December 18, the brigade launched a fundraising campaign. We raised 33 million Ukrainian hryvnias (9 million NOK), of which 18.5 million (5 million NOK) were used to upgrade and supplement our fleet with additional combat vehicles and four-wheel-drive vans.
“Our close friends and partners from Norway, the organization Fritt Ukraina, as well as People’s Self Defence Lviv, joined the project. They have been our steadfast supporters for three years, helping us in critical situations,” says Robert Brovdi.
“Among the most remarkable contributions from our partners was the delivery of 206 attack boats with powerful outboard motors. These were crucial during the defense of the left-bank bridgehead in the Kherson region.”
Some Vehicles Already Destroyed
The first vehicle delivery took place on January 18.
“At that time, I could report that 21 pickups and several four-wheel-drive vans had been received. On February 12, we received the final shipment. In total, we have now received 70 new vehicles.”
“Unfortunately, we have already lost four pickups in combat, but this is the reality we live in. Vehicles are consumables in this war,” Brovdi explains.
Of the funds raised, 18.5 million hryvnias were allocated for vehicles—an amount matched by the Norwegian organization Fritt Ukraina. The total cost per vehicle was approximately $6,200, and they are now being modified for military use.
Support and Priorities
“I am grateful for the support we receive. We do not raise money unnecessarily, and we only ask for help when it is absolutely necessary. The state does not cover all our needs, and when we truly require assistance, we rely on our supporters,” says Brovdi.
The brigade does not raise money for drone purchases but instead focuses on ammunition production.
“We produce 25,000 anti-tank mines each month for 117 units within the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We have secured other resources to maintain production and only request assistance for equipment when necessary,” he says.
Magyar also emphasizes that the brigade continuously improves and adapts the equipment they receive.
“Drones are essential. They are modified to withstand enemy electronic warfare. We must be smarter and better adapted than the factory solutions we are supplied with,” Robert Brovdi adds.
Magyar’s Drone Project
Currently, Magyar’s brigade operates in eight to nine frontline sectors, and the number of active units has surpassed triple digits.
“By March 31, we will increase the brigade by 100 new combat-ready units. This will impact our results, which we also report on openly,” says Robert Brovdi.
Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fritt Ukraina
The drone project that Maydar is part of brings together five specialized units under one common structure, including the 20th Separate Regiment for Unmanned Systems (K2), the 429th Separate Regiment (Killers), the 427th Separate UAV Regiment (Raroch), the consolidated regiment Phoenix, and the 414th Separate Brigade for Unmanned Systems (Maydar’s Birds).
“This coalition allows us to recruit, train, and deploy soldiers with high competence. We promise our new recruits a responsible and professional service, with the right equipment and training to ensure they can return home safely,” says Robert Brovdi.
Thanks to Supporters
Finally, Magyar expresses his gratitude to the Norwegian partners and other supporters who contributed to this important delivery.
“I want to extend a big thank you to both Fritt Ukraina and People’s Self Defence Lviv. Their efforts in logistics, adaptation, and delivery of equipment have been crucial. Thanks to their support, we can continue to fight and protect our homeland,” concludes Robert Brovdi.
About Magyar’s Birds
Magyar’s Birds is a unit within the Ukrainian 414th Separate Brigade for Unmanned Systems, led by Robert Brovdi, known as “Magyar.” The unit is part of a project that consolidates multiple specialized UAV regiments under one structure to optimize drone warfare.
Magyar’s Birds focus on the development, modification, and operational use of drones, especially with regard to countering enemy electronic warfare. They actively participate in combat operations on multiple frontline sectors and are a key player in Ukraine’s drone warfare efforts.
