"Fight tirelessly": a Ukrainian commander promises new strikes in Russia

From an underground base, Robert Brovdi, said “Madyar”meticulously plans strikes deep into Russian territory, a response, according to him, to the invasion of Ukraine.

AFP was able to speak exclusively with the commander of the Ukrainian army’s unmanned systems forces, before a massive attack on Moscow and its region.

“The sources of financing for Putin’s war spending (…) become legitimate and priority military targets in any area, in any part of the territory of the occupying country.”Commander Madyar explains to AFP.

On Sunday, Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted some 600 drones during a nighttime attack that killed four people in Russia, one of the largest long-range Ukrainian strikes since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

According to kyiv, these attacks primarily target the defense industry and oil installations.

These attacks have intensified in recent months, as kyiv seeks to weaken Russian air defense systems, according to “Madyar”who claims to want “se battre sans relâche” with new strikes intended to surprise Moscow.

According to him, kyiv – now having reinforced resources – has made the neutralization of Russian air defense systems a priority. A strategy that paid off.

“The enemy has built a wall made up of numerous air defense elements.”he said.

“We had to cut out a door to get through this wall.”making Russian air defense a priority target and « systématique » Starting December 2025.

According to him, he “There are not so many air defenses left to destroy to gain deep access to the territoryâ€the Ukrainian army taking advantage of Russia’s size to multiply targets and the effect of surprise.

« Spectaculaire »

Saturday evening, during the attack which targeted Russia, AFP exclusively witnessed the launch of these munitions.

In the red glow of headlamps, soldiers from the 9th Kairos Battalion of the « Oiseaux de Madyar » are preparing new drones for launch.

A heartbreaking noise and a shower of flames that light up the fields: a Ukrainian long-range drone takes off. It will fall far from the border, in Russia.

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky judged the attack “Completely justified”two days after massive strikes carried out by Russia against Ukraine, which left 24 dead.

Previously dependent on its international partners, kyiv is now focusing on the development of long-range munitions on a national scale.

During a meeting in an undisclosed location, a company representative « Defence Intelligence of Ukraine »surnommé « Wolf »present at l’AFP a drone of what type.

“Some of the biggest targets were oil refineriesâ€as well as “All very large installations located within a radius of 800 to 1,000 kilometers.” of Ukraine, explains the man who requested anonymity.

The strikes during the night from Saturday to Sunday showed that « même la région de Moscow, pourtant fortement protégée, n est pas sûre »welcomed the Ukrainian security services (SBU) on social networks.

The threat was particularly illustrated during the May 9 parade in Moscow, which commemorates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and is usually accompanied by a major military deployment.

For the first time in almost twenty years, no military equipment was presented there this year.

Moscow had also warned the inhabitants of kyiv of possible retaliatory strikes if Ukraine targeted the event, before American President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire, as well as a planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war.

“Is a spectacular image of possible explosions in the heart of the war, in the center of Moscow, worth more than a thousand lives saved?”asks “Madyar” with irony. “Is it worth risking our relationship with the Americans?”