Breaking News | US secretly supplies Flyer 72 LD light tactical vehicles to Ukrainian Special Forces.

As noted by Praise the Steph on March 31, 2025, the United States has secretly delivered at least one Flyer 72 Light Duty (Flyer F72-LD) light tactical vehicle, designated M1297 A-GMV in the U.S. Army inventory, to Ukraine. These highly mobile, purpose-built military platforms are now in use with the Ukrainian 4th Separate Special Purpose Regiment “Ranger” (Military Unit A5011), stationed in Kropyvnytskyi, Kirovohrad Oblast. The revelation emerged on March 31, 2025, through open-source monitoring, showing the vehicles in service within this elite special forces unit.
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The Flyer 72 Light Duty, now confirmed to be in Ukrainian service, is a modular, internally and externally air-transportable off-road platform manufactured by Flyer Defense and used by U.S. Special Operations Forces. (Picture source: Facebook/Рейнджер)

The 4th Special Purpose Regiment is one of four regiments that form Ukraine’s newly established Ranger Corps, a specialized force under the command structure of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO). Established in 2024 and trained to NATO standards, the Ranger Corps consists of the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th Separate Special Purpose Regiments. These units are tasked with operations behind enemy lines, including sabotage, reconnaissance, and support of conventional troops through infiltration, artillery strikes, and unmanned aerial operations. Each regiment is equipped with its own UAV company, artillery, anti-aircraft components, and logistics elements. Recruitment efforts for these regiments have been documented by official sources, including military recruitment centers and local defense-related service providers.

The 4th Ranger Regiment in particular has been actively engaged in the Russo-Ukrainian war, including the 2024 Kursk offensive and operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast. It has employed live fire and FPV drones during ambushes, including a documented operation on November 25, 2024, where the unit neutralized a Russian Desertcross 1000-3 vehicle and its occupants. In February 2025, the regiment expanded its operational scope by forming a tank unit equipped with T-64BV and T-72AV main battle tanks, which participated in tactical exercises alongside other mechanized elements such as BMP-1s and Kozak-5 armored vehicles.

The Flyer 72 Light Duty, now confirmed to be in Ukrainian service, is a modular, internally and externally air-transportable off-road platform manufactured by Flyer Defense. It is in use by U.S. Special Operations Forces under the GMV 1.1 program. The Flyer 72 LD can transport up to nine personnel and carry a payload of up to 5,000 lbs. It features a 2.0-liter BiTurbocharged engine generating 195 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque, coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Designed for rugged and restrictive terrain, it supports various configurations including CASEVAC, armed transport, and reconnaissance, and offers modular kits for armor, enclosure, and medical evacuation. It can reach a top speed of 120 km/h and travel up to 805 km on flat ground.

Air mobility and rapid deployment are among the key features of the Flyer 72 LD. It is designed for low velocity air-drop and sling-load operations under CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters, as well as internal transport aboard C-130 and C-17 aircraft. Its lightweight design allows up to twice the number of vehicles and personnel per C-17 flight compared to heavier armored vehicles. The platform’s configuration also supports various weapons systems, including M2 .50 caliber machine guns and M240 mounts. With optional armor kits reaching STANAG Level I blast protection, the Flyer 72 LD can balance survivability with mission flexibility.

The integration of such a platform within Ukraine’s Ranger Corps marks an evolution in Ukrainian special operations capability. The 4th Ranger Regiment’s structure now includes a diverse mix of equipment sourced from Soviet, Ukrainian, and Western origins. This includes assault rifles like the AK-47 and AK-74, U.S.-made M4A1s and DDM4 rifles, grenade launchers such as the Mk 19, and sniper platforms like the Barrett MRAD. Complementing its ground assets are DJI-manufactured FPV drones, reflecting the Corps’ growing emphasis on drone warfare and electronic countermeasures, as well as the degree of U.S. material support, some of which remains unpublicized until observable in the field. It also highlights the SSO’s evolution toward a modular, highly mobile force with capabilities designed to match and counter Russian forces in contested environments.