Over a thousand crews: how the “Drone Line” project works
9 April 18:02
Units from the “Drone Line” project are responsible for taking out one in every four targets on the battlefield.
This was reported by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, the project, launched in the spring of 2025 at the initiative of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is already demonstrating systematic results on the front lines.
Who is part of the “Drone Line”
The project brings together the five most effective units identified within the Drone Army system.
Among them:
- 20th Separate Brigade “K-2”
- 429th Separate Brigade “Achilles”
- 427th Separate Brigade “RAROG”
- 414th Separate Brigade “Madyar Birds”
- 3rd Border Detachment “Phoenix”
Their combat experience served as the foundation for scaling the project along the entire front line.
What is the mission of the drones?
The main goal of the units is to create a killzone 10–15 kilometers deep.
In such a zone:
- drones detect enemy equipment and personnel;
- they escort Ukrainian infantry;
- destroy targets even as they approach positions.
The plan is to make it difficult or impossible for Russian forces to advance without significant losses.
Results of the units’ operations
According to Mykhailo Fedorov, over 1,000 drone crews are currently working on the project.
In March 2026 alone, they:
- struck over 10,500 Russian soldiers;
- destroyed hundreds of pieces of equipment.
International support
The project also receives financial assistance from Ukraine’s partners.
In particular, the Netherlands has allocated $880 million for the development of the “Drone Line.”
The funds are planned to be used to purchase:
- FPV drones;
- ISR drones (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance);
- bomber drones.
Earlier, Mykhailo Fedorov discussed the development of the Drone Line project with Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Dilan Yesilgöz-Zegerius.
During the talks, they also discussed:
- support for the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet program;
- the supply of long-range artillery ammunition.
