423rd Unmanned Systems Battalion (Ukraine)
| 423rd Unmanned Systems "Scythian Griffins" Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian: 423-й Окремий Батальйон Безпілотних Систем “Скіфські грифони” | |
Insignia | |
| Active | January 2024–present |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Allegiance | Ukraine |
| Branch | Ukrainian Ground Forces |
| Role | Unmanned Systems |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 20th Army Corps |
| Engagements | |
| Website | Official Website |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Vitaliy Gersak |
The 423rd Unmanned Systems "Scythian Griffins" Battalion (Ukrainian: 423-й Окремий Батальйон Безпілотних Систем “Скіфські грифони”) is a battalion level military unit of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, concerned with drone warfare using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Unmanned Ground Vehicles. It was established in 2024 and has seen combat during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Since the beginning of 2025, the battalion has been established amongst the Top 20 Ukrainian units in the use of unmanned systems. It is the first in terms of effectiveness amongst battalion-sized units.[1]
History
It is a part of the "Dronefall" project, which raises money to purchase drones used against Russian UAVs.[2] In August 2025, it reportedly successfully destroyed a Russian turtle tank and its mounted infantry component using a combination of FPV drones and a heavy bomber.[3] In October 2025, one of their pilots successfully intercepted a Russian Zala Z-16 long-range reconnaissance drone.[4]
Equipment
The unit uses a number of types of unmanned aerial vehicles, including counter-drone drones[5] and aerial reconnaissance drones.[6]
References
- ^ "Scythian Griffins". Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ "Dronefall — Fundraising for the downing of 3000 Russian reconnaissance UAVs". savelife.in.ua. Retrieved Aug 26, 2025.
- ^ Kalchenko, Anzhelika (27 August 2025). "Scythian Griffins Destroy Russian "Tank Shed" Near Temyrivka". Militarnyi. Archived from the original on 2025-09-01. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ^ "Ukrainian 423rd UAS Battalion Scythian Griffins hit a Russian Zala Z16. Zaporizhia direction. 08.10.2025". www.reddit.com. Retrieved 2025-12-25.
- ^ "Medicines for the home front, money for the front: ANC spent UAH 2.5 million…". Retrieved Aug 26, 2025.
- ^ "Ukrainian defenders received 15 Sych UAVs from the KOLO Foundation". Retrieved Aug 26, 2025.