Vadym Sukharevsky

Known by the callsign “Badger”, he is a seasoned combat officer and a well-respected figure in the Ukrainian Military. On April 13, 2024, he gained national recognition for becoming the first Ukrainian officer to order return fire against pro-Russian separatists during the war in Donbas. He has held a series of key leadership roles, including the Commander of the 503rd Marine Battalion from 2016 to 2021, Chief of Staff of the 35th Marine Brigade from 2021 to 2022, and Commander of the 59th Motorized Brigade from 2022 to 2024. For his leadership and bravery, he was awarded Hero of Ukraine in 2022.

In 2024, he was appointed Commander in the newly formed Unmanned System Forces, where he has been helping to shape Ukraine’s modern approach to drone warfare. On June 3, 2025, he was relieved of his post.