On the Frontline
According to official information, a highly sophisticated unit — the 20th Separate Drone Systems Regiment K-2, created just a few months ago — is already taking its first combat positions, demonstrating new capabilities in the fight for Ukraine’s independence. Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kyryl Veres, one of the heroes of modern resistance, stated that this unit is undergoing "combat coordination" with personnel, which currently consists of 95% new recruits — still inexperienced in the challenging front-line environment. Based on military sources and a press release issued by the 20th Regiment, the unit has already been involved in real combat missions in active operational areas. Drone operators are actively conducting reconnaissance and destroying enemy targets across the zone from Kupiansk to Siversk. In these difficult and tense conditions, Ukrainian soldiers experienced their first hits, including the destruction of enemy equipment, such as artillery, as well as Russian infantry formations. Details from the release add that the regiment is already using not only reconnaissance drones but also strike UAVs, heavy bombers, and cruise missiles. An important factor in their success is the deployment of cutting-edge ground robotic complexes, which have shown high effectiveness in accomplishing combat tasks. “The regiment is actively developing and scaling this direction,” the report states. “With modern tools, they destroy enemy personnel and equipment, which significantly supports our defenders at the front.” In an interview, Commander Lieutenant Colonel Veres highlighted an important aspect: “Much is still unseen, as 95% of our operators are beginners. They are just learning, adjusting to each other, and this process takes time. But even during this challenging period, without our crews, at least 180 Russian soldiers would have been lost. They could have inflicted harm on our troops in crowds or even captured some settlements. Therefore, this is a combat coordination period, and we already see positive results.” The commander also emphasized that the training and development of new personnel continue each month, and with each change in the situation, the unit becomes more cohesive and experienced. "Over the past 20 days, we have increased our potential capabilities by 5-10%. People are actively learning, working, and showing impressive results. The work in this unit significantly differs from regular infantry — the scale, capabilities, and technical equipment are entirely different, and we are moving according to our plan." What preceded this? It is important to note that as early as December, Ukrainian military officials reported active transformation of the K-2 battalion into a new military unit with expanded scale and potential. That was when the process of converting this technical and combat unit into a modern, high-tech drone regiment capable of effective action in complex combat conditions and destroying the enemy at maximum ranges began. Overall, the activation of this regiment on the front represents an important step in the development of Ukraine’s air defense and robotic warfare capabilities. Participants describe it as one of the key directions of modern warfare: integrating cutting-edge technologies into the combat system enables the Ukrainian military to move faster and more effectively in the fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity.