In October 2026, the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces inflicted the heaviest monthly personnel losses on the Russian army in the entire period of the force’s operations. According to Robert Brovdi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, known by the call sign «Madyar», the units struck 64,807 enemy targets, whilst Russian troop losses, including those killed and wounded, totalled 16,796. On average, Ukrainian drone operators struck one target every 41 seconds, and a Russian soldier every 159 seconds. The heaviest fighting took place in the Dobropil-Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole sectors.
- In October, the SBS struck 64,807 enemy targets.
- The Russian army’s casualties totalled 16,796 killed and wounded.
- On average, one enemy target was hit every 41 seconds.
- The heaviest losses were recorded on the Dobropil–Pokrovsk front.
- Over the course of the month, the units carried out more than 255,000 combat missions.
Almost 65,000 targets hit in a month
Results of combat operations in October Robert Brovdi announced on 1 November. According to his information, units of the SBS group carried out 255,605 combat missions, of which approximately 151,500 were strike sorties and a further 104,000 were reconnaissance sorties.
This resulted in 64,807 enemy targets being struck. These included personnel, military equipment, positions and other Russian military targets. Separately, the commander reported that 16,796 Russian servicemen had been killed, a record monthly figure for the force.
On average per day SBS inflicted damage on approximately 2,091 enemy targets. Enemy personnel losses amounted to around 542 soldiers per day.
The highest daily figure was recorded on 24 October, when Russian casualties resulting from the group’s operations reached 701 soldiers.
The intervals given—41 and 159 seconds—are averages calculated based on the figures for the entire month. They reflect the overall intensity of the units’ operations and do not imply that the strikes occurred at regular intervals.
Brovdi emphasised that all the results cited had been verified by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ DELTA situational awareness system. At the same time, these figures relate exclusively to units within the SBS group and do not take into account the combat operations of other components of the Defence Forces.
The Russians suffered their heaviest losses in the Pokrovsk sector
The bulk of Russian manpower losses occurred across three fronts where intense fighting continued throughout October.
According to the commander, in the Dobropil–Pokrovsk sector, SBS units inflicted 7,360 irrecoverable and medical casualties on the enemy. This represents almost 441 per cent of the group’s total monthly figure.
A further 4,312 Russian soldiers were killed in the Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole sectors.
In total, these sections of the front accounted for 11,672 enemy personnel casualties — approximately 69.5% of all casualties recorded by the SBS task force in October.
The high concentration of casualties in these sectors is linked, in particular, to the intensity of Russian assault operations. As early as the beginning of October, Brovdi reported an increase in the number of Russian infantry on the front lines and a rise in the frequency of attacks.
The situation was particularly tense along the Dobropil–Pokrovsk section, where units of the Ukrainian «Azov» group are operating.
In the first five days of October alone, enemy casualties resulting from SBS strikes in this sector totalled 1,268 troops. This was approximately 43% more than during the corresponding period in September.
Despite significant losses, the Russian army continued its offensive operations. The high number of casualties reflects the intensity of the fighting by Ukrainian units, but does not in itself determine the situation regarding territorial control or the pace of the troops’ advance.
The Russian Federation’s losses have been rising for the third month running
The October results continued the trend observed by the Unmanned Systems Force over the previous months.
In August, the group reported 11,010 Russian servicemen killed. In September, this figure rose to 13,358, and in October it reached 16,796.
Consequently, compared with August, the number of confirmed enemy personnel losses increased by approximately 52.6%, and compared with September, by 25.7%.
The number of targets hit also increased. In September, the SBS reported 61,449 successful hits, whilst in October the figure was 64,807. The increase amounted to approximately 5.5%.
This difference is telling: the total number of targets hit has increased moderately, whilst enemy personnel losses have risen much more rapidly.
One possible explanation is a change in the nature of the targets and more intense action by Russian infantry on the front line. However, without a complete picture of the damage inflicted, it is impossible to determine to what extent the figures have been influenced by changes in tactics, the number of troops in the combat zone, or the effectiveness of drone operations.
It is also important to distinguish between irrecoverable and combat-related losses. The figure of 16,796 covers Russian military personnel who have been killed or wounded. It does not mean that all of these people have died.
Why have drones become one of the main tools of war?
Over a quarter of a million combat missions in a single month demonstrate the scale of the use of unmanned systems on the modern battlefield. This includes not only strike FPV drones, but also reconnaissance aircraft, which are used to locate targets, monitor troop movements and direct fire.
It is precisely this combination of reconnaissance and strike capabilities that enables units to detect the enemy more quickly and respond to their actions. Data from reconnaissance drones can be used to plan strikes using both drones and other types of weaponry.
At the same time, the number of combat missions should not be equated with the number of strike drones launched or targets destroyed. Some flights are reconnaissance missions, and a single mission does not necessarily result in a successful strike.
The October results were also recorded against a backdrop of deteriorating weather conditions. Brovdi had previously reported that autumn mists, rainfall and poor visibility were making it difficult to operate drones, but the units continue to carry out combat missions.
The rise in Russian infantry casualties is one of the factors affecting the enemy’s ability to maintain the pace of its offensive. To offset these losses, Russia needs to replenish its ranks, train new troops and supply them with weapons.
According to official reports from the SBS, between the start of 2026 and the end of October, units of the group inflicted over 100,000 irrecoverable and medical casualties on Russian troops.
These figures are based on Ukrainian military reports. It is not possible to independently verify every hit using open-source information; however, the SBS command states that the results are recorded and verified in DELTA.
