SBGS explains disbandment of strike drone unit due to lack of effectiveness

This was reported to Ukrinform by Andrii Demchenko, Spokesperson for the SBGS.

“The unit referred to by Kasianov (Major of the State Border Guard Service, aerial reconnaissance specialist) was added to the staff of one of the border detachments in April 2024. Initially, the unit had more than 40 personnel. Several organizational and staffing changes were made, increasing the unit’s strength to 100 servicemen,” Demchenko said.

He noted that during its existence, the unit used 560 drone systems to target enemy positions, with an average cost of 252,000 hryvnias per system.

“In 2025 alone, the unit conducted 12 missions, using 299 UAVs,” Demchenko added. He further explained that the unit was provided with rented facilities, weapons, protective equipment, 11 vehicles (plus three from volunteers), over six tons of fuel (just in 2025), portable and vehicle radios, Starlink, laptops, and tablets.

However, according to the spokesperson, there was no confirmed hit on any designated military or military-industrial targets.

“Even in coordination with military command authorities, the data on striking designated enemy targets was never confirmed. I emphasize that the decision to disband the unit was based on the evaluation of the missions performed. Kasianov himself considered his unit highly effective, but no one else can confirm this — neither within the Border Guard Service nor in other military command bodies,” Demchenko stressed.

Demchenko added that the personnel will reinforce other combat units within the service according to their specialties, continuing to serve in reconnaissance-strike UAV units.

He also noted that no requests have been received from other branches of the Security and Defense Forces to transfer this unit from the Border Guard Service to other military formations.