Russia has set a $20 million bounty for Ukrainian commander Brovdi - Media

Russia has set a $20 million bounty for Ukrainian commander Brovdy - Media

The Russian government, through criminal networks in the former Soviet territory, has announced a $20 million reward for information that would help locate Robert "Madyar" Brovdy, the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Brovdy told the publication that over the past year, approximately one-third of all Russian losses on the front line were caused by the unmanned systems forces. According to him, since the start of the war, his units have lost 79 fighters, and for every fallen soldier, they have wounded or killed 656 Russian servicemen.

Due to the threats, Brovdy and his subordinates are forced to adhere to heightened security measures. During the interview, the WSJ journalist was forced to turn off geolocation and put their smartphone into a Faraday bag that blocks mobile signals, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The journalist was taken to the command center in a car with tinted windows.

Robert Brovdy is of Hungarian descent, born in Uzhhorod. Before the war, he was involved in the grain business, and after the invasion began, he went to war as a volunteer. In May 2022, Brovdy established the "Madyar's Birds" aerial reconnaissance unit. Over time, it evolved into the 414th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade.

In May 2025, Brovdy received the title of Hero of Ukraine, and a month later, he was appointed head of the AFU Unmanned Systems Forces. In Russia, Madyar has been sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia. He is charged with 46 criminal episodes, including "terrorist acts that resulted in the deaths of civilians and significant property damage."