421st Unmanned Systems Battalion (Ukraine)
| 421st Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion | |
|---|---|
| 421-й батальйон безпілотних систем «САПСАН» | |
 | |
| Active | 2024-present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Allegiance |  Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Air Assault Forces |
| Type |  Air assault infantry |
| Role | Drone warfare Electronic warfare ISTAR |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of |  Air Assault Forces Command |
| Motto | Technology in the hands of heroes! |
| Engagements | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Decorations | .svg.png){kind=small} For Courage and Bravery |
| Website | Website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Col. Ivan Levkivsky |
The 421st Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion Sapsan is a separate unmanned systems battalion of Ukrainian Air Assault Forces which specializes in drone warfare, electronic warfare, and ISTAR especially UAVs and UGVs to supplement other air assault infantry and airborne forces units.
History
The 421st Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion was established in early 2024 as part of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces to increase the drone warfare capabilities namely UAVs and UGVs to support air assault infantry and airborne forces units during combat operations by conducting effective reconnaissance, surveillance, and direct targets strikes.[1]
It's recruitment campaign continued in June 2024 during which time period, the battalion was armed with the Leleka, Vampire, Bat and Mavic-type UAVs and FPV drones and had already seen combat on the battlefield.[2][3]
It was also armed with R-34 and Eachan, as well as 300 day and night FPV drones.[4] In October 2024, the battalion received Ukrspecsystems Shark reconnaissance UAVs.[5]
In November 2024, Lutsk city council transferred DJI Mavic quadcopters, electronic warfare systems, FPV drones, Ecoflow, Starlink and generators to the battalion.[6]
On 13 April 2026 the unit was awarded the Presidential Award For Courage and Bravery by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[7]
Gallery
Weblinks
See also
References
- ↑ "421 окремий батальйон безпілотних систем". 421dshv.mil.gov.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ↑ "У ДШВ ЗСУ створюють окремий підрозділ безпілотних систем". armyinform.com.ua.
- ↑ Оліферук, Вікторія (June 13, 2024). "У ДШВ ЗСУ створюють підрозділ операторів дронів: яких фахівців потребують". novynarnia.com.
- ↑ "Майстри мобільної війни: як війна змінила українських десантників". ФОКУС. September 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Soldiers of the 421st Battalion receive Mini Shark UAVs".
- ↑ "Міський голова Ігор Поліщук та депутати міської ради доставили військовим допомогу від Луцької громади".
- ↑ "УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №315/2026". President of Ukraine. 13 April 2026. Retrieved 18 April 2026.