Inside Ukraine's Secret Drone Unit: Attacks on Russia Revealed

Inside a clandestine Ukrainian military unit, the First Independent Center for Unmanned Systems, journalists from NPR witnessed the preparation and launch of drones aimed at targets deep within Russia. The soldiers, identified only by call signs for security reasons at the Ukrainian military's request, operate in a highly sensitive environment.

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These drone systems are very efficient now. Our defense forces lack cruise and ballistic missiles, but drones have truly influenced the course of combat operations. And they have hit the enemy hard.

Charlie, the 30-year-old commander, a career officer, believes the rapid advancement of Ukrainian military technology has been pivotal in the conflict. He has led this unit for three years, witnessing its evolution from nascent stages to its current highly effective state. "These drone systems are very efficient now," Charlie stated. "Our defense forces lack cruise and ballistic missiles, but drones have truly influenced the course of combat operations. And they have hit the enemy hard."

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In the Cold War, there was an arms race between the Soviet Union and the United States. Now there is a new arms race, but it is unfolding much faster and is focused almost entirely on unmanned systems – aerial, naval, and ground-based.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported in June that Ukrainian drones had struck over 356,000 Russian targets in the past year, part of an ongoing campaign to degrade the Kremlin's military infrastructure. Commander Charlie emphasized that Ukraine's adaptation and development of its own military technologies have accelerated, particularly as American aid has decreased. He drew a parallel to the Cold War arms race, noting that today's race is far faster and focused almost entirely on unmanned systems, aerial, naval, and ground-based.

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I felt justice was served. The residents of Russia's capital experienced firsthand what happens in our cities every day.

The operational tempo has dramatically increased. What once took half a day to prepare a drone launch now resembles a "Formula 1 pit stop." Charlie confirmed that his unit's drones strike targets hundreds of kilometers inside Russia and in occupied territories. While many are intercepted, some successfully hit military and oil infrastructure. He recounted a recent attack on a refinery near Moscow, expressing a sense of retribution: "Justice was served," he said. "The residents of Russia's capital experienced firsthand what happens in our cities every day." The team completes drone launches within approximately two hours, then quickly departs the isolated field, acknowledging the constant danger from Russian search efforts.

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It's too dangerous. The Russians, of course, are looking for us. We are targets.