Ukraine Commander 'Madyar' Vows to 'Fight Relentlessly' as Drone Strikes Reach Deep Into Russia

From an underground command post, Robert Brovdi — known by the callsign 'Madyar' — says he has been intensifying planning for deep, long-range drone strikes into Russian territory as retaliation for Moscow's invasion. In an exclusive interview with AFP, he described a campaign he says targets defence-industry sites and oil facilities to deprive Russia of resources that sustain its war effort.

Escalation and Strategic Shift

Kyiv launched nearly 600 drones in a recent barrage that Russian officials said killed four people. Ukrainian commanders and officials say the strikes focus on industrial and energy infrastructure and on degrading air-defence systems to permit deeper attacks.

"The sources of funding for Putin's war expenses... have become legitimate and priority military targets in any area, in any part of the territory of the occupying country, whether we are talking about the south, the Urals, or Siberia," Madyar said.

He and Ukrainian leaders describe several drivers behind the expanded campaign: greater resources, a deliberate strategic shift and the systematic erosion of Russian air defences. According to Madyar, his forces began prioritising attacks on air-defence systems in December 2025 to 'cut a door open' into Russian airspace.

'Cannot Predict'

Although Madyar said Ukraine has not yet destroyed Russia's entire air-defence network, he added that the campaign is producing tangible effects. "We realised that there isn't that much air defence left to destroy to gain access deep into the territory," he said, arguing that Russia can no longer reliably predict where drones will strike next.

Ukrainian officials have credited the disruption with enabling more frequent and deeper raids, including strikes Kyiv says have caused billions in damage at locations such as Tuapse and Primorsk; Russian authorities have acknowledged some casualties.

Retaliation, Deterrence and Diplomacy

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had the right to carry out retaliatory strikes after a large Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week that killed 24 people. Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) statements following the drone barrage emphasised that "even the heavily protected Moscow region is not safe." AFP journalists also witnessed long-range drones being launched toward Russia during what became one of the conflict's largest barrages, with battalion members assembling craft by the light of red torches.

The prospect of strikes has unsettled Moscow: authorities scaled back the May 9 Victory Day parade and omitted military hardware for the first time in nearly two decades. Moscow warned of possible retaliation if Ukraine targeted the celebrations, even as diplomatic moves—including an announced three-day ceasefire and a planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war on each side—were reported.

'Dramatic Image' and Calculus

"Is a dramatic image of possible explosions in the heart of the war, in the centre of Moscow, worth more than a thousand lives saved? Is it worth risking our relationship with the Americans?" Madyar asked, noting the trade-offs involved in timing and target selection.

He vowed to 'fight relentlessly' and to continue using surprise as a force multiplier: "The element of surprise is like those children's toys with a shooting gallery... you have to be quick enough to catch it."

Context: The account reflects claims and statements from Ukrainian officials and Madyar; casualty and damage figures are reported by both Ukrainian and Russian sources and have not been independently verified in all cases.