On September 28, 2026, it was reported that Russia has announced a reward of $20 million for information on the whereabouts of the commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' UAV units, Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign "Madyar." This information was published in an article by The Wall Street Journal.
Reasons for the Reward Announcement
The Russian side decided to announce this reward due to the significant effectiveness of Brovdi's units. According to the publication, his fighters have become a priority target for Russian forces. Brovdi and his unit, known as "Madyar's Birds," have inflicted considerable losses on Russian troops during combat operations.
Judicial Decisions Against Brovdi
Russian courts have convicted Robert Brovdi in absentia on terrorism charges related to his activities during Ukrainian military operations. He has been sentenced to many years in prison, indicating the serious threat he poses to Russian military forces.
Lost Fighters and Enemy Losses
According to Brovdi, since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russians have killed 79 fighters from his unit. He noted that for every fallen SBS fighter, there are 656 killed or wounded Russians. This indicates a high level of combat effectiveness of the unit, despite significant losses.