The Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun forming the 446th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade. According to available data, this is already the second unit of this level created in 2026. The new formation is currently in the process of being established and staffed, as confirmed by reports from Ukrainian media about the launch of recruitment into its ranks.

Parallel deployment and place in the structure

The creation of the 446th Brigade is taking place in parallel with the deployment of a number of other units of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, including the 50th, 55th, 64th, 76th and 167th mechanized brigades. The emergence of yet another unmanned systems formation is seen as an expected step in the framework of the sequential expansion of this branch of the military. Previously, the 445th Brigade appeared in the structure, and the 447th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion was formed within the Navy, indicating a systematic rather than one-off logic in building up the army's drone potential.

Staffing via the Army+ app

The new unit is currently being staffed. Applications to transfer to the 446th Brigade can be submitted through the official Army+ app. It is separately noted that the program provides a simplified procedure for returning to service for military personnel who previously left their units without permission (so-called AWOLs). This decision has a dual effect: on the one hand, it accelerates the formation of the brigade by drawing on the existing personnel reserve, and on the other, it becomes part of a broader policy of returning to the ranks those who previously deserted or evaded service.

Combat experience and reported losses

Ukrainian military continue to inflict losses on the occupying forces both at the front line and in the deep rear. In particular, according to statements from the Ukrainian side, the special unit "Ptakhy Mad" destroys, by their estimate, a and a half battalions of the enemy for each fallen fighter. Over the course of the full-scale invasion, according to the same data, the brigade lost 79 fighters, but only during the last rotation in the eastern direction, Ukrainian drones, according to the command, eliminated and disabled more than 50,000 occupiers. These figures are self-reported and cannot be independently verified.

Strikes on the rear and air defense

In addition to frontline operations, the Defense Forces are actively striking targets in the enemy's rear. Recently, according to reports from Ukrainian military, five air defense systems were hit at two Russian airfields — "Yeysk" and "Millerovo" — and ammunition depots and technical facilities were also successfully struck. Such strikes on air defense infrastructure and logistics are aimed at reducing the enemy's ability to protect its aviation and supply forward positions.

Contradictory data

There is an inconsistency in the chronology in the original formulations: the 446th Brigade is described as the "second unit of this level created in 2026," while it is stated that "the 445th Brigade had already appeared in the structure earlier." If the 445th Brigade was formed before 2026, then the claim of a "second unit in 2026" requires clarification — perhaps it refers to the second one in the current year after the 445th, formed at the beginning of 2026, or the formulation is imprecise. Moreover, the reported combat results (more than 50,000 hit in a single rotation, the ratio of "a and a half battalions per fallen fighter") are exclusively self-reported data from the Ukrainian side and are not confirmed by independent sources, so they should be taken with a caveat.