Fedorenko Yurii

Yurii Fedorenko is Commander of the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “ACHILLES,” a Hero of Ukraine, and a full holder of the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi. He participated in Ukraine’s Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in 2014–2015. Following an injury, he was discharged from military service after being assessed as fit for service with limitations. In 2020, he was elected to the Kyiv City Council. On 24 February 2022, Fedorenko rejoined Ukraine’s Defence Forces as part of a rifle company of the 112th Territorial Defence Brigade. Following the liberation of Kyiv region, the company was redeployed to Kharkiv region, where it took part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive. During the Kharkiv operation, Fedorenko and his platoon became encircled in a forest near the village of Hrushivka, close to Kupiansk. The ACHILLES group reached its designated position and established an all-round defensive perimeter while coming under attack from multiple directions. Under these conditions, the group spent seven hours directing artillery fire and providing intelligence to the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade. In 2023, the company commanded by Fedorenko transferred to the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, becoming one of the first strike unmanned aerial systems companies not only in Ukraine but globally. Following its strong operational performance, the company was expanded into a battalion. In 2025, the battalion became an independent unmanned systems regiment, and in 2026 the regiment was expanded into a brigade. According to the Delta situational awareness system, the 429th “ACHILLES” Brigade consistently ranks among the ten most effective units of Ukraine’s Defence Forces, out of more than 400 units.