Commander of Achilles unmanned systems regiment: 'Army wins the battle, but people always win the war'

Achilles is a volunteer unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces created in the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Its main tasks are aerial reconnaissance and fire on Russian forces and assets using drones.

The unit's history began on February 24, 2022, when a group of volunteers formed an infantry company of the 128th Battalion of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv.

Initially, the company participated in the defense of the Chaika airfield in the Zhytomyr sector during the Battle of Kyiv, and later was redeployed to the Brovary sector. In May 2022, the unit began fighting in the Kharkiv region, holding positions near the village of Bazaliivka.

It was then that a group was formed that used UAVs for aerial reconnaissance and artillery fire adjustment. Thanks to the initiative of the commander, Yurii “Achilles” Fedorenko, the company began working together with the artillery of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade.

In January 2023, it was reformatted into a company of Achilles unmanned aerial systems as part of the same 92nd Separate Air Assault Brigade. During 2023-24, the unit achieved significant success, destroying and damaging about 20,000 Russian military targets.

This led to further expansion, and in January 2025, the Achilles Battalion was scaled up to the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems within the Ukrainian Army.

We had previously arranged to meet with the commander in the Kupiansk sector, but the good news about the battalion's expansion made it possible to meet in Kyiv, where Fedorenko is currently busy with recruiting and expanding the regiment.

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the regiment's commander spoke about the evolution of unmanned technologies and their place on the modern battlefield. It all started with the search for the most affordable means to defeat the Russian troops. And 2 years ago, drones were something new, but today they have become a powerful tool of warfare for both Ukrainian defenders and Russian invaders.

Half of targets are destroyed by UAVs

"50% of targets on the battlefield are destroyed by drones," says the commander.

However, UAVs cannot completely replace artillery on the battlefield.

"Artillery and unmanned systems should not even be compared. Artillery is a non-alternative means of fire on the enemy, which, in my opinion, will be relevant for the next 50 years. Because artillery works in all weather conditions. Artillery has a serious enough impact on the enemy. Artillery is a power that cannot be replaced on the battlefield,” explains Fedorenko.

The regimental commander also draws attention to another common but erroneous belief - that drones can replace reconnaissance assets in modern warfare. However, UAVs have only found their niche, allowing them to receive data from deep behind Russian lines in real time. Fedorenko emphasized that it is important to properly combine all available intelligence means, as only one type of intelligence may not be effective enough in difficult weather or electronic interference.

"For example, there is a thick fog for two days. It's impossible to find out anything. Drones will be effective at a very low level. We will be able to see only in front of us. As a result, Russia may have partial success. Therefore, everything on the battlefield works in a single coordinate system. Drones have provided a unique opportunity. We began to see the enemy online from the front line and deep into their operational space,” says Fedorenko.

In addition, drones allow us to adjust artillery fire and destroy Russian targets more accurately, and they are also beneficial from an economic point of view.

Photo: Yurii Fedorenko

“Russia is doing everything possible to separate the military and civilians”

According to Fedorenko, Ukraine has made significant progress in the development of FPV drones, which can destroy armored vehicles, artillery systems, and even Russian electronic warfare equipment. However, the support of unmanned systems would not be possible without the support of the rear. Fedorenko emphasizes that this is a joint effort.

"I have infinite respect for everyone who is part of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. But I equally respect the manufacturers who have found the courage to jump into the unknown and communicate with the brigade and started producing the necessary UAV equipment."

"Let's be honest, it was private manufacturers who ensured such growth dynamics and private investment. I have infinite respect for all Ukrainians who stayed in our country, work in their positions, pay taxes, and support the Defense Forces of Ukraine. The army is an integral part of the overall society. The army wins the battle. War is always won by the people, the nation. There is no other way. The front is impossible without the rear,” the commander emphasizes.

He adds that Russia clearly understands how important unity in society is for Ukraine. And it is trying to spread different narratives, to do everything possible and impossible to divide the military and civilians.

"If we look back in history, you will see that Russia has won only when it has managed to divide Ukrainians. This is true. And it is happening now,” says Fedorenko.

So he urges Ukrainians to follow everything that is happening in the country very closely, to take information with a warm heart, but always with a cool head. After all, many information injections work in the hands of the enemy.

The Achilles commander also spoke about the supply of drones. According to him, the supply has become much better, but there is still a need for additional components, which makes it necessary to ask for help from volunteers and citizens.

It is important to develop our components for drones to reduce dependence on imports, especially from countries that may restrict the supply of critical parts.

Ukraine will reach parity in drones by the end of spring

"We are at war with the second army of the world, with the economic, financial and technical potential of third countries that support Russia. And compared to this, the state of Ukraine, the Ukrainian nation, is doing an unrealistic job. And for sure, the state of Ukraine cannot fully meet all the needs of the defense forces."

We get 30% of everything we need for the war from donations. 70% - from the state. At the beginning of 2024, the statistics were completely different; before, it was roughly the opposite.

"Therefore, to win this war, we must be united and provide maximum resources for the frontline. That is why, at the beginning of our conversation, I said that the front and the rear are integral parts of the same mechanism. One is impossible without the other,” says Fedorenko.

Photo: Yurii Fedorenko

China is playing a double game with a single goal - to make money, the military officer is convinced.

Ukrainian developers are now actively working on improving systems, including FPV drones and fiber-optic drones, which allows them to avoid Russian electronic warfare. Still, Russia currently has an advantage in the production of certain types of drones.

"There is no single means that would be an alternative, only a set of measures can resolve the situation on the contact line. A fiber optic is a drone with a coil attached to it, which contains a certain length of cable that transmits a control signal. It cannot be shot down by an EW."

"But there are additional limitations. The first is the range of the coil. The second is maneuverability, and the third is its extra size, which makes it easier to shoot down with small arms. So conventional drones are not going anywhere. Each drone has its category of targets for which it will be used,” explains Fedorenko.

Despite these challenges, fiber-optic drones are already being actively used on the battlefield and demonstrate high efficiency. Ukrainian developers are working to improve this technology, in particular, to create lighter and more compact cables, which will increase the range and efficiency of such drones.

"Now Russia is ahead of us in terms of the ability to produce more fiber-optic drones. China is the main producer, and as a result, they have access to fiber optic cables, so they have ramped up production faster. But I am convinced that we will be able to reach parity in some areas by the end of this spring,” says the commander.

The regimental commander also emphasizes that China is playing a double game with a single goal: making money. According to Fedorenko, it doesn't make a difference to whom China supplies spare parts, and in the end, China sells them to both Ukraine and Russia.

"Ukraine, realizing that China's "needle” has very complicated consequences, has to gradually get off it. As a result, Ukrainian companies will begin to manufacture a significant number of components for FPV drones instead of importing them from China,” the commander adds.

'Sometimes it is better to fly longer than to lose everything'

During our conversation with Fedorenko, we also raised the issue of the safety of the crews that operate the drones. Increased intensity of fighting forces FPV drone operators to work closer to the front line, which increases the risks. Therefore, the Achilles Regiment is making efforts to protect the crews, including additional combat guards and rotation of personnel to reduce the workload.

"A number of measures are being implemented to make the distance between the take-off position and the front line smaller. However, if the front line is quite saturated, we have to maneuver and place personnel in positions that will maximize the preservation of life. Because sometimes it is better to fly a little longer, but to fly every day, than to take a risk and then lose everything,” explains Fedorenko.

In 2024, a reward system for destroyed Russian equipment was introduced to increase efficiency and create additional incentives for the military. The system provides for the accrual of points for the confirmed destruction of targets, which can be exchanged for technical equipment necessary to perform combat missions.

In addition, for each destroyed unit of armored vehicles or artillery, soldiers receive additional payments. As it turned out, the initiative was taken by the military themselves.

"At some point, units that effectively perform combat missions appealed to the General Staff and the relevant ministries: we lack a critical resource to replenish the loss of equipment and scale up to train others."

"Let's come up with some kind of system that would allow us to receive a certain amount of money and exchange it for equipment upon confirmation of destruction of the Russian troops. This was heard by the General Staff and the relevant ministries, and as a result, the E-Points system was created. There are still a lot of loopholes, but when all the shortcomings are worked out, it will be a very effective tool,” says Fedorenko.

Due to their high efficiency, UAV crews have become a priority target for the Russians. Therefore, the Achilles regiment has implemented a comprehensive training program that includes studying the principles of drone operation, tactics of their use, and measures to counter Russian electronic warfare.

Particular attention is paid to training in combat conditions, which allows operators to gain real experience and quickly adapt to changing situations at the front.

Photo: Yurii Fedorenko

"If we are ready for a battle in 10 years, the Russians will never come to us militarily," says Yurii.

All Ukrainians should undergo military training

The interlocutor emphasizes that national training is also important for all Ukrainians, regardless of gender.

"If I live to see the end of hostilities, I will do everything possible and impossible to introduce legislation to make all Ukrainians liable for military service, both men and women. Military training should begin at school, in the seventh grade, for both boys and girls. Upon reaching the age of majority, training on the range should be mandatory."

"It should be impossible to open a card, buy a phone, or buy a car without a military registration document. Everyone should have training from the 7th grade until they turn 25, which is almost 10 years. This person will be highly effective on the battlefield, if circumstances are such that he or she has to fight. Believe me, if we are ready for battle in 10 years, Russians will never go the military way,” summarizes Fedorenko.

At the end of January, the Achilles battalion of unmanned aerial systems was scaled up into the 429th separate regiment. This was due to the growing needs of the frontline and the unit's high efficiency in performing combat missions.

The regiment's commander notes that the expansion will allow them to attract more specialists, improve logistics and significantly increase the scale of operations performed by drones. In addition, this decision will contribute to the development of new tactical approaches to the use of UAVs in modern warfare.

"In 2024, the battalion became one of the best among the Defense Forces of Ukraine in terms of the effectiveness of destroying the Russian troops on the battlefield. Over 20,000 legitimate Russian military targets were hit and destroyed, so it was decided to scale up to a regiment. We urge everyone to take this opportunity to go to the Achilles website and fill out the questionnaire. Choose the profession you are best suited for,” says Fedorenko.

He adds that the unit is constantly looking for drone pilots, engineers, reconnaissance operators and other specialists who can contribute to the defense of Ukraine.

Fedorenko emphasizes that every soldier who joins the unit will receive quality training, modern equipment and the opportunity to work with the latest technologies on the front line.

“Together we will be able to change the course of the war and ensure Ukraine's victory!” concludes the regiment commander.