Skip to content
Edit post

Controversial captain named chief of staff for Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, media says

by Kateryna Hodunova August 30, 2024 7:53 PM 2 min read
Ukrainian drone pilot Andrii at Ukrainian military positions north of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast, on April 24, 2024. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Captain Roman Hladkyi, who was previously dismissed from the Navy amid controversy, has been appointed Chief of Staff of the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), Ukrainian media outlet Hromadske reported on Aug. 30, citing USF communication specialist Vitalii Medvediev.

Hladkyi's appointment was approved by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on July 25, according to Medvediev.

Hladkyi served as the Navy's chief of staff until April 2018, when he was dismissed amid a scandal.

The Navy's press service stated that Hladkyi's dismissal was due to "shortcomings in official activities following an inspection of a military unit by Ukraine's Defense Ministry."

Ukrainian media also reported allegations that Hladkyi's wife held Russian citizenship and lived in Russian-occupied Crimea, and that his daughter participated in swimming competitions for the Central Sports Club of the Russian Army.

In 2018, the Defense Ministry denied that information about Hladkyi's family members was the basis for an internal investigation.

Lawmaker Mariana Bezuhla, formerly a member of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People party, criticized the appointment on Facebook. Bezuhla questioned how Hladkyi, a native of Crimea and a Navy captain with a questionable reputation, passed the Security Service vetting process and was appointed to such a high position.

Bezuhla also alleged that Hladkyi is "a suspect in high treason, espionage, and corruption," though law enforcement agencies had not officially confirmed this.

During Russia's full-scale invasion, both Ukraine and Russia have heavily invested in drone technology, transforming modern warfare. For the outnumbered Ukrainian forces, drones have become crucial in targeting Russian warships, naval bases, oil refineries, and airfields inside occupied territories and deep behind enemy lines.

Ukraine officially established its Unmanned Systems Forces on June 11, four months after President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree to create a separate branch of the armed forces dedicated to enhancing drone operations.

‘We set a precedent.’ Ukraine officially presents Unmanned Systems Forces
Ukraine officially presented its Unmanned Systems Forces on June 11, four months after President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree ordering the creation of a separate branch of the armed forces tasked with improving drone operations. The announcement comes a day after Defense Minister Rustem Umero…

News Feed

10:26 AM

Air Force: Ukraine downs 31 drones overnight.

Russia also attacked Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two Kh-59 cruise missiles, the Air Force said. The missiles targeted Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Odesa oblasts.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.