Russian investigative officials from the Investigative Committee have named a Ukrainian soldier as the operator of drone strikes aimed at Russian military airports. This development was reported by Kommersant, which cited material from the case file. The report notes that data from the military counterintelligence department of the FSB and the Ministry of Defense were used by investigators of the RF Investigative Committee to charge the commander of the 383rd separate regiment of remotely piloted aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The accused, Sergey Burdenyuk, faces serious charges in absentia and has been added to an international wanted list. The report confirms that Burdenyuk is linked to the drone attacks that targeted Russian facilities.
According to the materials reviewed, in February and March of 2022 a colonel, together with unidentified collaborators, organized the 383rd separate regiment of remotely piloted aircraft, which subsequently became part of Ukraine’s armed forces. The creation and deployment of this unit are described as key steps in the described operation against Russian targets.
On October 7, 2022, investigators determined that the J-22 airstrike drone, produced by NPP Ukrjet LLC and controlled by the 383rd regiment, crossed the Ukrainian border illegally and entered Russia’s airspace without authorization. It was then directed toward the area of the Shaikovka airfield in the Kaluga region, where Tu-22M3 long-range bombers are based. The authorities say the drone operations were conducted covertly and remotely, signaling a coordinated effort across multiple locations.
Further developments are expected as more details are added to the case file. The ongoing investigation emphasizes the role of the drone program in accelerating cross-border military activity and the responses needed from international and regional security frameworks.
In recent related notes, Russia has announced the creation of new systems intended to counter drone activity, signaling a strategic push to enhance airborne defense capabilities in light of evolving aerial threats.