425th Unmanned Systems Regiment (Ukraine)
| 425th Unmanned Systems "Ochi" Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: 425-й окремий полк безпілотних систем «Очі» | |
 Insignia | |
| Active | 2022 – present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Allegiance | Ukraine |
| Branch |  Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Type | Unmanned Systems Forces |
| Role | Aerial Reconnaissance, Drone Warfare, FPV drone strikes, Ground Drone Warfare, Cargo Transport |
| Size | Regiment |
| Nickname(s) | Eye |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Valeriy Gost Povarov |
The 425th Unmanned Systems "Ochi" Regiment (MUN A5067) is a regiment level military unit of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, concerned with drone warfare using aerial and ground unmanned vehicles. It was established in 2022 as a company, later being expanded to a battalion and finally a regiment in December 2024.[1]
History
Its FPV drones have been very successful against Russian forces, even going so far as destroying 20 tanks in a single day. It has also received very expensive equipment with some costing as high as $4 million.[2] In addition to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, it has also been using Unmanned Ground Vehicles.[3]
2022
In September 2022, it was fighting during the 2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive.[4] It saw combat during the Battle of Bakhmut[5] conducting drone flights, artillery reconnaissance and combat support for over half a year. On the third day of the deployment in Bakhmut, it's positions were heavily struck by Russian forces causing damage to equipment. It worked alongside the 77th Airmobile Brigade, facing tank assaults for a week and were ultimately able to destroy the tank with artillery support. Later, it worked alongside the 3rd Assault Brigade, conducting counterattacks on Klishchiivka, protecting the flanks and destroyed several targets with artillery support, airstrikes and HIMARS.[6] It also saw combat during the Battle of Kupiansk, conducting reconnaissance and other tasks as well as evacuation of trapped personnel.[6][7]
2024
On 22 December 2024, it destroyed a large Russian column composed of several military-used civilian vehicles, mostly SUVs.[8][9]
Commanders
- Lieutenant Colonel Valeriy Gost Povarov[2]
Equipment
References
- ^ "425th Regiment of Unmanned Systems". Oct 21, 2024.
- ^ a b "Commander of 425th OCHI battalion: We have UAV at price of bad tank for board, our specialists improving their skills around the clock". Interfax-Ukraine.
- ^ Клименко, Ірина (Apr 1, 2025). "Support for the 425th SBUS". Help the Army of Ukr.
- ^ Russia and Ukraine are fighting the first full-scale drone war
- ^ Sahuquillo, María R. (Jan 8, 2024). "Night mission with a Ukrainian brigade operating bomb-carrying drones on the Bakhmut front". EL PAÍS English.
- ^ a b c d ""In Hostomel they said: 'The colonel is already there. Will you command the defense detachment?' I agreed," – Battalion Commander 425 OBBpS Valeriy "Gost" Povarov". Ukraine Today .org. Mar 21, 2025.
- ^ ""У Гостомелі сказали: "Полковник вже є. Будеш командувати віділенням тероборони?" Я погодився", - комбат 425 ОББпС Валерій "Гост" Поваров". www.unian.ua. Mar 21, 2025.
- ^ "AFU show how occupiers tried to attack Ukrainian positions with column of civilian vehicles | Ukrainian news". ukranews.com. Dec 23, 2024.
- ^ "Soldiers of the 425th Battalion of Unmanned Systems defeat enemy vehicle convoy".