Robert Brovdi, known by his call sign “Madyar,” has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a Russian court in absentia, following accusations related to a terrorist act. The ruling was issued by the Second Western Military Court in Moscow on March 27, 2025, just 48 hours after the initial verdict.
According to the prosecution, Brovdi, who commands the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ drone units, allegedly ordered his troops to plant explosives on a road in the Kursk region. This operation reportedly led to the death of Anna Prokofyeva, a journalist for the First Channel, when her vehicle detonated on March 26, 2025. The attack also resulted in injuries to a cameraman and military personnel traveling with her. Reports indicate that the vehicle was loaded with drones at the time of the incident.
This is not the first time Brovdi has faced legal action in Russia. On March 23, 2025, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison by a court in Rostov-on-Don for aiding terrorism. In his response to the latest ruling, Brovdi took to Telegram to express his disbelief, criticizing the speed of the judicial process, which he likened to the swift fall of Kyiv in the early days of the conflict.
Brovdi has been serving as the commander of Ukraine’s drone forces since the summer of 2025 and also leads an aerial reconnaissance unit known as “Madyar’s Birds.” He was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelensky in May 2025 for his contributions to the military efforts.
Robert Brovdi, a Ukrainian drone commander, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia by a Russian court for alleged involvement in a terrorist act. This marks the second such verdict against him, as he continues to lead drone operations for Ukraine's military.
Source: Медіазона