Unit Responsible for Kremlin Attack Disbanded

The command of the Ukrainian Border Guards has disbanded a prominent unit that had long operated in the shadows, conducting deep strikes inside Russia. The DK-8 Unmanned Strike Systems Company, part of the 10th Mobile Detachment of the Ukrainian Border Guards, was recently dissolved—officially due to a lack of effectiveness in performing its tasks. In recent days, the case has been brought to public attention by the unit’s platoon commander, Yuriy Kasyanov, who appears to be one of the reasons behind the current situation.

What preceded

On October 3, Yuriy Kasyanov stated that the Company of Unmanned Strike Systems of the 10th Mobile Detachment had been disbanded by order of the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak.

According to Kasyanov, the story began about a year ago, when President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Independence Day that Ukraine possessed drone missiles. “Since I am an expert on drones and missiles, and I occasionally give interviews to journalists, in one of them I said that there are no drone missiles — only cruise missiles. And either President Zelenskyy or Yermak — I know it was Yermak for sure — took offense,” Kasyanov said in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda.

He claims that fighters from the unit were later taken in for questioning by the Internal Security Department of the National Police. The reported goal was to find compromising evidence against the commander — specifically, allegations of obtaining illegal profits from combat missions and using forced labor at Kasyanov’s company, which manufactures drones for the unit.

“Officials from Internal Security intimidate servicemen, confiscate their phones, and hack into our chats to find out where our unit is deployed, which has compromised all our work,” Kasyanov said. Those who disagree with the procedure and disbandment, are reportedly assigned to assault units near Pokrovsk.

A shadow drone unit

The unit operated in the shadow of Ukraine’s most prominent formations, such as Birds of Magyar, Achilles, and Phoenix. It had existed in one form or another since April 2014. Initially, it was a volunteer formation as part of Dnipro-1 Battalion, later joining the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR MO). In the fall of 2023, the unit was transferred to the Ground Forces to facilitate recruitment, and a company-sized element was established. Following the appointment of General Oleksandr Syrskyi, further organizational changes took place, and the unit was reassigned to the State Border Guard Service.

The unit is responsible for attacks on Russian airbases in Kursk, Shaykovka, Dyagilevo, and Seshcha, as well as for the destruction of an S-300 air defense system and other deep strikes inside Russian territory. On the night of May 3, 2023, the unit struck the Kremlin.

Official response

On October 6, the head of the State Border Guard Service, Lt. Gen. Serhiy Deineko, met with servicemen from the disbanded unit to provide objective information. He stated that soldiers would be reassigned to other combat units according to their specialties, emphasizing that personnel are the priority and that this measure is intended to increase operational effectiveness. “Only Kasyanov himself has credited the unit’s high performance, but no one else within the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine or other military command bodies can confirm this,” said the Border Guards spokesperson.

Yuriy Kasyanov reached out to Robert Brovdy, the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, asking him to find a solution for his men. According to the latest information, Brovdy is in contact with Kasyanov. Furthermore, at least a dozen brigades have reportedly contacted Kasyanov and offered to take in unit’s personnel.