Yurii Kasyanov’s Appeal to Zelensky: Stop Dismantling the Effective Drone-Combat Unit in Ukraine’s War Efforts
Military engineer and commander of the anti-strike unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit Yurii Kasyanov has issued an urgent appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling for an immediate halt to the disbandment of one of Ukraine’s most effective combat formations dedicated to neutralizing enemy drones.
According to Kasyanov, the unit, the 10th Mobile Detachment of the State Border Guard Service, has been almost entirely dismantled — with personnel surrendering their personal belongings, service vehicles, and over a hundred UAVs worth more than one million dollars.
This situation underscores the critical damage inflicted on Ukraine’s defense capabilities in the high-stakes sphere of UAV operations.
Kasyanov revealed that since the beginning of the year, higher command has blocked funding, prevented new personnel appointments, and frozen purchases of essential drone components, citing unspecified political or financial motives linked to corruption schemes within the defense sector.
The officer emphasizes that his unit has successfully conducted hundreds of operations, including a high-profile strike on the Kremlin in May — a calculated attempt to target imperial symbols, which narrowly missed its mark, but resulted in significant damage to the adversary, totaling over half a billion dollars in losses without casualties among Ukrainian soldiers.
He calls on the authorities to recognize the strategic importance of maintaining such units and to prevent their destruction in the ongoing war effort.
Kasyanov, who previously criticized government procurement policies and corruption, urges President Zelensky personally to intervene and save the unit, stressing their commitment to defending Ukraine free from political influence and personal gain.
The disbandment of this elite drone unit threatens Ukraine’s reconnaissance and strike capabilities and raises concerns about political interference undermining national security in the long run.