426th Unmanned Systems Regiment (Ukraine)

426th Unmanned Systems Regiment
426 окремий батальйон безпілотних систем
Active29 October 2024-present
Country Ukraine
Branch Ukrainian Marine Corps
Type Marines
RoleDrone warfare
SizeRegiment
Part of 30th Marine Corps
Garrison/HQMykolaiv, Mykolaiv Oblast
MottosUnity in thought, strength in action!
EngagementsRusso-Ukrainian War
Commanders
Current
commander
Major Yegor Nikel
Insignia
Former insignia
(2024-2026)

The 426th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment is a military unit of the Ukrainian Marine Corps, operationally under the command of the 30th Marine Corps. The Battalion was established on 29 October 2024 and is based in Mykolaiv, it has seen combat during the Russo-Ukrainian war.

History

It was established on 29 October 2024 as a separate Unmanned Systems battalion of the Ukrainian Marine Corps.[1]

In November 2024, the battalion was conducting a recruitment and public relations campaign in Mykolaiv,[2] aiming to recruit 300 personnel.[3]

In January 2025, the battalion was reported to be using Ukrspecsystems Shark[4] and EW resistant Ukrspecsystems PD-2 UAVs.[5]

On 24 February 2025, it released a video showcasing the destruction of a Russian 2S4 Tyulpan using kamikaze and bomber UAVs in southern Ukraine,[6] four FPV drones attempted a strike but only one was able to hit the target and immobilize it which was followed by a strike from a bomber UAV destroying it completely.[7] In March 2025, the battalion was also reported to be utilizing DeViRo Leleka-100 and BpAK-100 UAVs and conducting reconnaissance, artillery positioning and direct strikes.[8][9]

On 25 December 2025 it was announced that the unit has been expanded to a regiment.[10]

On 18 March 2026 the regiment published a video showing the destruction of a Strela-10 SHORAD-system by Leleka-100 FPV-Drone.[11]

Equipment

ModelImageOriginTypeNumberDetails
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
DJI Mavic  China FPV drone
DeViRo Leleka-100
("Stork")
Ukraine Air reconnaissance/loitering munition
Ukrspecsystems Shark Ukraine Air reconnaissance
Ukrspecsystems Mini Shark Ukraine Air reconnaissance
Ukrspecsystems PD-2 Ukraine Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle/Bomber UAV
BpAk-100 Ukraine

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Marines created unmanned systems battalion". MilitaryLand.net. October 29, 2024.
  2. ↑ "У Миколаєві представники підрозділів безпілотних систем та Центру рекрутингу ВМС ЗСУ зустрілися з мешканцями міста". news.pn.
  3. ↑ "Миколаївці взяли участь у формуванні нового підрозділу ЗСУ (ФОТО)".
  4. ↑ "Interview with the commander of the 426th Battalion of Unmanned Systems | UKRSPECSYSTEMS - UAV/UAS and payloads development". ukrspecsystems.com. January 25, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Розвідувальний дрон PD-2 виявляє "жирні" цілі, але має суттєвий недолік (відео)". News.Telegraf. December 23, 2024.
  6. ↑ "The Ukrainian Navy Shows the Destruction of russian 2S4 Tyulpan Mortar in a Precision Strike (Video) | Defense Express". en.defence-ua.com.
  7. ↑ "Ukrainian Defense Forces Destroyed Russian 2S4 Tulip".
  8. ↑ "«Очі війни»: історія командира взводу БПАК, який нищить ворога з неба". armyinform.com.ua.
  9. ↑ "Коротко про головне від командира роти 426 окремий батальйон безпілотних систем на позивний «Кот»". malva.tv. March 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Marine Drone Unit Expanded to Regiment". MilitaryLand. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "Soldiers of 426th Regiment struck enemy's "Strela-10" air defence system with "Leleka" and "Bulava" drones over 90 km from front line. VIDEO". Censor.net. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.