Phoenix Regiment of Unmanned Systems

The Main Department of Unmanned Aerial Systems “Phoenix” is a military unit of the State Border Guards Administration (SBGSU), formed in December 2022 as specialized infantry group within the 3rd Luhansk Border Detachment, under the leadership of Dmytro “Zemliak” Oleksiuk.

On February 24, 2022, the unit met the invasion at the outermost positions of Eastern Ukraine, standing where the border was first breached. The first year of the full scale invasion was defined by intense defensive operations across Kreminna, Rubizhne, Popasna, Lyman, and Svyatohirsk.

From December 2022, the formation took part in the defense of Bakhmut, and in May 2023, became the basis for the 2nd “Phoenix” Rapid Response Border Command, an infantry unit that first included dedicated drone operators within its structure. Six groups were dispatched to the United Kingdom for training under Program Interflex, and later the unit first operated heavy drone bombers and initiated FPV pilot training.

On January 6, 2024, Phoenix took up defensive positions in Kostyantynivka, and despite having only 30–40 crew members, held its sector with great success, for six months of operation.

In July 2024, Phoenix officially was transformed in a Reconnaissance and Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems Command, becoming the first drone unit within the structure of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The unit saw service in Kupyansk, Kurdyumivka, and Lyman sectors of the frontline.

By January 2025, the Phoenix unit was scaled up to regimental level and left Pomsta Brigade, and the drone operators joined forces with four other prominent UAS regiments within the presidential initiative “Drone Line”. In the following February, the regiment was further expanded into the current Main Department of Unmanned Aerial Systems “Phoenix”.

In June 2025, Phoenix joined the Unmanned Systems Forces, permitting the growth of the Department in three commands, including decicated units for long-range Strikes, Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS), and drone interceptions.