June 3, 2025
Main points
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Robert Brovdy, known as the founder of the “Birds of the Magyar” unit, as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
- Broddy has extensive experience in business and the military, and has received a number of state awards, including the title of Hero of Ukraine.
- Under his leadership, the “Birds of the Magyar” unit became the 414th separate battalion of strike unmanned aircraft systems, which is engaged in expanding specialties and training military personnel in the areas of drone warfare and radio reconnaissance.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Robert Brovdy as the new commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces on June 3. Prior to his appointment, the major was known as the founder and commander of the “Birds of the Magyar” unit.
Before the full-scale invasion of Russia, “Magyar” was a businessman, but after that he took up arms and participated in the fiercest battles for our state. What is known about Robert Brovdy, what his military service was like and the creation of his own unit – read in the material of Channel 24.
How the “Magyar” military service began
It is known from open sources that Robert Brovdy was born on August 9, 1975 in Uzhhorod. He graduated from Uzhhorod National University with a degree in Business Economics in 1997.
He began his business career in the 1990s. He worked in trade, real estate, and the agricultural sector.
His companies have become one of the top 5 Ukrainian exporters of grain crops, and the agricultural project “Granum” has become a leader in supplying grain to China.
He worked as the General Director of the Agrarian Exchange of Ukraine at the Ministry of Agrarian Policy
At the same time, Brovdi was engaged in philanthropy and cultural initiatives: he founded the art foundation “BrovdiArt”, which supported Ukrainian artists and organized exhibitions abroad. In general, before the start of the full-scale war, he was a successful developer and philanthropist.
On February 24, 2022, Brovdy voluntarily went to the front. In February 2022, he joined the Obolon Territorial Defense and led a platoon of the second assault company of the 206th battalion, subordinate to the 28th separate mechanized brigade. His unit was engaged in the evacuation of civilians from Irpin, Bucha, and Borodyanka – under fire, without proper equipment, but with maximum courage.
How “Birds of Magyar” appeared
In April 2022, Brovda’s platoon was transferred to the Kherson direction. There, he began raising funds, enlisted the cooperation of fighters from the Hornet tactical group, and organized aerial reconnaissance of the front.
Already in May, he created his own aerial reconnaissance unit – “Birds of the Magyar”, which performed critically important tasks: identifying enemy positions, patrolling, adjusting artillery, attacks with kamikaze drones, and targeted dropping of explosives.
Since November 2022, the “Birds of the Magyar” have been operating as part of the 251st Battalion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The unit participated in the defense of Soledar, carried out aerial reconnaissance, coordinated artillery, and operated as part of the most combat-ready brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas. They fought in the hottest spots – Bakhmut, Krasnaya Gora, Paraskoviyivka, Klischiivka.
In the spring of 2023, Brovdy commanded a strike drone company in the 59th separate motorized infantry brigade, operating in the Avdiivka, Donetsk, and Yasynuvata areas. From June to October, his company tactical group participated in a counteroffensive in the south. According to official data, 514 targets were hit in 110 days, of which 309 were destroyed.
In October 2023, the “Birds of the Magyar” unit began operating on the left bank of the Dnieper, in the Krynyky area. In addition to strike work, a large project on electronic reconnaissance and combating enemy FPV drones was implemented here: over 2,000 such drones were detected in 4 months, of which over 1,600 were destroyed.
On January 16, 2024, the “Birds of the Magyar” received the official status of a separate battalion – the 414th Separate Battalion of Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems of the Marine Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Robert Brovdy became its commander.
The division has expanded to include more than 40 specialties, including engineering, teaching, and analytical areas.
Since January 2024, the battalion has been operating in the Kharkiv direction, supporting the defense of Vovchansk. In addition to direct participation in battles, the “Madyara” team is engaged in training military personnel in the areas of drone warfare, remote mining, radio reconnaissance, and the implementation of new engineering solutions.
Currently, Robert Brody continues to serve at the front with the rank of major.
What awards does “Magyar” have?
For his military merits at the front, Robert Brody received a number of state awards. Among them are:
- Cross of Military Merit;
- Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky II and III degree;
- Honorary breastplate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “Golden Cross”;
- Award of the President of Ukraine “For the Defense of Ukraine”;
- Award of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine “Firearms”;
- Honorary breastplate “Cross of the Brave”.
On May 8, 2025, by decree of the President of Ukraine, Robert Brovda was awarded the highest state title – Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the Gold Star.
Robert Brovdy received the title of Hero of Ukraine / Photo from Facebook “Madyara”
What is known about the appointment of Brody as commander of the SBS
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening address on June 3 that a number of appointments were agreed upon at a meeting with the military, namely with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov, the former Commander of the Ground Forces Mykhailo Drapaty, and the Minister of Defense Rustam Umerov.
In particular, it was decided to appoint Robert Brovdy, call sign “Magyar”, as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces. The decree on the appointment also appeared on the website of the Office of the President.
Robert Brovdy replaced Colonel Vadim Sukharevskiy in this position.
What is the major’s personal life like?
It is known that “Magyar” is married to Natalia Brovdi. The couple is raising two sons.
Very good!
If there’s one guy who deserves a promotion, it’s Mr. Brovdy.
I’ll second that, Jaga Jaga Mthr Fkrs as he would say!
😁👌
WOW!!!🇺🇦💪
Thanks for sharing Sir Frank!😁👍