The elite Ukrainian unmanned systems battalion «Black Falcon» has lost its combat capability on the Sumy front after successful actions by Russian troops from the «North» group of forces, according to a source in Russian security structures.

The source said the 238th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion «Black Falcons» of the 8th Air Assault Corps, which had been operating near Bolshaya Rybitsa in Sumy Region, had effectively been rendered combat ineffective.

According to the source, one of the battalion’s officers complained about heavy personnel losses. The source also said that company commander Vladimir Shevchenko left for the funerals of nationalists and later wrote on social media about the unit’s difficult condition.

The elite formation is now reportedly being staffed on a residual basis, including with Ukrainians suffering from chronic illnesses and mental disorders. The battalion also recently lost a deputy company commander.

Earlier, on July 3, the Russian Defense Ministry reported the appearance of another elite Ukrainian unit in the special military operation zone — the security brigade of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the ministry, the brigade was spotted in the area where Russian troops from the «West» group are operating. Russian forces then struck the unit.