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Russian court sentences commander of “Birds of Magyar” Brovdi to life in absentia
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A Russian military court has sentenced Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi to life imprisonment in absentia, following accusations of terrorism linked to a deadly attack in Russia’s Kursk region.
Brovdi, founder of a Ukrainian drone unit known as the “Birds of Magyar,” was convicted over his alleged involvement in a March 2025 operation targeting a vehicle carrying Russian state media journalists and military equipment, Telex wrote based on Russian news agency TASS.
Deadly attack in Russia’s Kursk region
According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian forces remotely planted explosives along a highway in the Kursk region, detonating them as a UAZ truck passed. The vehicle reportedly carried both journalists and drones intended for the Russian military.
One journalist, Anna Prokofieva of Russia’s Channel One, was killed in the explosion. The attack drew international condemnation, including from Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
Life sentence and multiple charges
The verdict, delivered on Friday, stipulates that Brovdi would serve the first ten years in prison, with the remainder in a high-security penal colony if apprehended. Russian investigators have brought a total of 46 charges against him, including terrorism, causing civilian deaths, and carrying out attacks resulting in significant material damage.
Brovdi’s defence team has argued that his direct involvement in the Kursk attack has not been conclusively proven.
Tensions with Hungary over pipeline strikes
The Ukrainian commander is also known in Hungary due to previous military actions. In the summer of 2025, drone units under his command reportedly carried out strikes against the Druzhba oil pipeline on Russian territory.
Following those incidents, the Hungarian government imposed an entry ban on Brovdi and several other Ukrainian military officials, extending it to the entire Schengen Area.
If you missed it:
Russian media report the Russian government officially introduces a complete ban on exports of motor gasoline for all market participants.
The restrictions will come into force from April 1, 2026 by the personal decision of Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
According to sources in Russian industry ministries, the fuel embargo will be in effect for at least four months – until July 31, UNN reports with reference to the Russian media.
Why is the Kremlin “closing the taps?”
The decision to stop exports was the result of an emergency meeting, where oilmen admitted: the domestic market is catastrophically short of fuel. The reasons for the crisis are systemic:
The result of the “cotton” at the refineries: Systematic and accurate strikes on the refining infrastructure of the aggressor have significantly reduced the production of light petroleum products. Many refineries cannot resume operations due to sanctions on Western equipment.
Spring sowing season: The Russian agricultural sector requires huge amounts of fuel. To avoid a food crisis and farmer protests, the Kremlin is forced to keep gasoline inside the country.
Price shock: Prices at Russian gas stations have begun to rise faster than inflation. The export ban is an attempt to “flood” the market with a scarce resource to contain social discontent.
Blow to the war budget
The decision is extremely painful for the Russian economy. Gasoline was one of the key exports, bringing in billions of dollars in foreign currency earnings. Now these flows are cut off.
Loss of revenue: The aggressor’s budget will lose huge sums that were planned to be spent on financing the war effort.
Logistical paralysis: The gasoline shortage directly affects the ability to transport military supplies and refuel the occupying forces’ equipment.
What this means for Ukraine
Every ton of gasoline that is not sold abroad is evidence of the effectiveness of economic and forceful pressure on the enemy. The energy “superpower” is forced to go into survival mode, sacrificing profits to maintain domestic stability.
It is expected that if the situation at the damaged refineries does not improve, the export ban may be extended beyond July 2026.
The US Secretary of State reacted to Zelensky’s statement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called false the statement by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that Washington is ready to provide security guarantees in exchange for the withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donbass.
The official said this while speaking to reporters.
Rubio was asked whether the US was telling Ukrainian leader Zelensky that security guarantees were contingent on the withdrawal of AFU troops from Donbass.
“It’s a lie. I saw him say it, and it’s offensive that he says that, because he knows it’s true. That’s not what he’s been told. The obvious thing was explained to him: the security guarantees won’t kick in until the war is over. Otherwise it would mean that you [someone who is a security guarantor] would automatically get involved in the war. It was not related to the fact that he [Zelensky] has to give up territories. I don’t know why he says such things. It’s simply not true,” the official replied.
Perhaps Rubio should ask Witkoff or Trump’s son-in-law. They’ve always been closer to the president than he is and have proven to be more reliable.