Much of the current success of the Ukrainian campaign is due to just a few men. True heroes. Brilliant men. Robert Brovdi, known as Magyar, the charismatic commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, is one of the most striking examples of the Ukrainian army’s transformation into a modern technological force. His influence is already clearly visible and is likely to grow even further in the future, according to Ukrainian military expert Viktor Kevlyuk. When the full-scale war with Russia began in February 2022, he volunteered for the Ukrainian defense forces. For people of his wealth and social status, such a step was rather exceptional. The unit he created, Magyar’s Birds, gradually grew into a regiment and is now the 414th Strike Drone Brigade. This brigade was, and remains, one of the most effective units carrying out attacks on Russian territory. As commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces — the so-called drone forces — Magyar undoubtedly plays a key role in carrying out long-range strikes on Russian territory. After becoming commander of the force, Magyar received broader authority to coordinate the activities of all unmanned systems — aerial, ground and naval drones. This made it possible to systematize long-range strikes against Russian oil refineries, airfields, warehouses, defense-industry facilities and logistics centers. Many of the attacks carried out in the Moscow region were directly led by him. Since being appointed commander of all drone forces a year ago, he has become one of the main architects of systematic long-range strike campaigns. He is not the only one — the HUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence; the SBU, Ukraine’s Security Service; the Special Operations Forces and others also have their roles — but it is the Unmanned Systems Forces under his command that have given these attacks scale, regularity and a focus on strategic targets. He has spoken publicly about intensifying such attacks and turning Moscow into “a city that no longer sleeps.” Magyar is a classic example of a new type of “military entrepreneur.” From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he began experimenting with commercial drones at his own expense, despite bureaucratic obstacles. He quickly grasped the potential of the mass use of FPV drones and UAVs not only as reconnaissance tools, but as a main strike force. His effectiveness can be explained by several factors. The first is practical experience: Magyar did not simply inherit a structure, but built one from scratch. What began as a small group under his command grew into a brigade and later started to influence an entire branch of the armed forces. Equally important is his focus on results rather than procedures. He introduced a system for measuring battlefield effectiveness through points awarded for destroyed targets. This created a clear incentive structure for soldiers and helped set ambitious goals, including the aim of destroying more Russian personnel each month than Russia is able to mobilize — more than 30,000 people a month. Magyar’s command style is also marked by an innovative approach and a capacity for fast learning. The evolution of his forces from simple FPV drones to sophisticated long-range systems, combined operations and mass attacks shows how quickly battlefield experience has been turned into new tactics. His personal qualities have mattered as well: charisma, strong media skills and a willingness to take responsibility. Crucially, he has not been afraid of conflict with the system. As a result, he has become a symbol of a new generation of commanders breaking with the Soviet legacy. His most important achievements include the creation of the world’s first separate branch of the armed forces focused exclusively on unmanned systems — in the air, on land and at sea. He has also promoted a strategic focus on wearing down the Russian army, including an order to direct more than 30 percent of strikes against personnel rather than only against equipment or infrastructure. https://balticsentinel.eu/8496687/magyar-the-controversial-commander-behind-ukraine-s-drone-revolution
