20th Separtate Regiment of Unmanned Systems K-2

February 2017. The K-2 reconnaissance group, led by Kyrylo Veres, as part of the 92nd Brigade, performs tasks at the front line. The group carries out field reconnaissance, combat sorties beyond “zero”, and adjusts artillery fire. Even then, at the initiative of Kyrylo Veres, the group used a DJI Phantom drone for aerial reconnaissance for the first time. It is noteworthy that the beginning of K-2 as a unit falls on the date of the elimination of one of the known Russian terrorists, pseudo-Givi —, on February 8, 2017. 

The K-2 reconnaissance group joined the ranks of the second mechanized battalion of the 54th Mechanized Brigade in January 2018. At that time, the groupʼs servicemen took part in combat operations near Troitske. They conducted reconnaissance and fire raids on the enemy. At that time, the K-2s were already systematically using “Mavic” UAVs for aerial reconnaissance and artillery adjustment.

In 2020, the group performed missions in the area of Avdiivka, namely the industrial zone, the “Zenit” plant, and near the Donetsk airport. Kyrylo Veres became the deputy commander of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion, where his group was stationed.

In 2021, K-2s reached the defense line from Mar’inka to Krasnohorivka. At that time, the scouts were already actively using “Mavic” and “Autel” drones not only for aerial reconnaissance, but also for targeting enemy infantry of the Russians and separatist formations.

In the same year, even before the full-scale invasion, K-2 tested the first samples of heavy bombers, which are now known under the common name “Baba Yaga”. The second mechanized battalion of the 54th Brigade meets the full-scale invasion in the same area of operation.

In April 2022, Kyrylo Veres became the head of the battalion, the backbone of which was his reconnaissance group. At this time, the occupiers did not achieve any significant success in the Mar’inka-Krasnohorivka area, where the K-2 battalion held the defense.

The longest deployment for the unit began in the area of Siversk in July 2022. Then, after the fierce battles for Sievierodonetsk and the capture of Lysychansk, the Russians were advancing in the area of the Lysychansk refinery towards the village of Verkhniokamianske.

The K-2 battalion took up positions in front of the village, preventing the enemy from advancing and capturing the place. According to the stories of the participants of those battles, when K-2 entered the defense line, the locals did not believe that “ordinary infantry could hold off the Russians”.

In 2.5 years, the unit has built an effective defense, thanks to strong infantry and the drones that operated 24/7 in a “carousel” mode and conducted reconnaissance. The K-2 battalion has been actively using FPVs, heavy bombers and ground-based robotic systems to repel enemy mechanized and infantry assaults.

For the entire time that K-2 was stationed in this area, the Russians did not have any significant advances or breakthroughs in the defense line.

The 20th separate regiment of unmanned systems K-2 was created on the basis of the second mechanized battalion. Kyrylo Veres officially took charge of the regiment on November 27, 2024. The unit is currently operating in a designated area. Drone crews engage in combat between the Kharkiv oblast and Siversk.