"Our UAV has virtually no rivals. With 50-kilometre range you can strike headquarters of enemy companies and battalions, if not regiments" – Aerial Reconnaissance Officer Vitalii Umanets (Avtomaidan crew)
Activist of Avtomaidan, volunteer, radio operator during the war — Vitalii Umanets has stayed true to this path of a person who cares deeply about the fate of his country. He is currently serving with the consolidated Avtomaidan UAV crew and takes pride in his unit’s effectiveness in eliminating the enemy.
Many of those who knew Vitalii Umanets from Avtomaidan were not particularly surprised when, in October 2023, they read the following on Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev’s Twitter account:
"Before the war, Vitalii Umanets was an activist with Avtomaidan, volunteered during the ATO/JFO (Anti-Terrorist Operation/Joint Forces Operations - ed.note), and supported the families of service members withdrawing from Crimea. Now he serves as a radio operator in a company, but he himself admits that during intense combat, distinctions between military specializations often become blurred. There is always a need for extra eyes and hands on the front line."
Vitalii spoke to Censor.NET about the daily work of his crew and their achievements, as well as how Avtomaidan is engaging in a technological battle against Russian electronic warfare systems.
He also shared insights about his military service overall.
So, during the full-scale war, you started out as a radio operator. How did you end up in this military specialty?
- I ended up here, I think, like most — like 90% of those mobilized nowadays — by accident. I hadn’t planned to take this position or join this unit. If you remember, in 2023 there was still a lot of chaos with recruitment and mobilization. There were nowhere near as many options as there are now. So I ended up mobilized purely by chance into a unit that was being formed in the Ternopil region. Back then, basic rifle battalions were being created in every region. They were often assembled, unfortunately, from people who were not very motivated, had health issues, just to fill the staffing numbers. I didn't meet many people like myself there — motivated young people. But I tried to do what I could: suggesting improvements, fundraising to repair vehicles, sourcing cars for the unit through volunteer contacts. I was initially assigned as a company radio operator because I have a higher education degree — I’m a mechanical engineer — and had a general understanding of technical matters. Before that, I had no experience in this field whatsoever. Later, I completed specialized training at the Poltava Military Institute of Communications, and, honestly, the quality of training impressed me, as did the field of radio communications itself.
- Sometimes, the profession of a military radio operator is still seen through the lens of World War II movies: somewhere in a trench, a sweaty soldier in a helmet cranks something on a field telephone and shouts into it: "Seagull, Seagull, this is Desna. Do you read me? We are under enemy fire, send reinforcements!" Tell us, what was radio operator Vitalii Umanets doing during the Russian-Ukrainian war in the summer of 2023?
- It’s somewhat similar to what you described. But instead of the Soviet "tapik" (the TA-57 field telephone), we had (and still have) the most popular radios on the front — Motorola radiosets. They are relatively cheap because they are based on civilian technology. Genuine military-grade radios are expensive, and there are far fewer of them in our forces today.
- And how much do the real ones cost?
- The price of a single American set (radio, headset, charger) can reach hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. For comparison: a Motorola radio with the best AES 256-bit encryption key costs around 15,000 to 30,000 hryvnias.
- At the time when you were serving as a radio operator, even with partner assistance, were there no such expensive professional radios available?
- We didn’t have any. And those who did often kept them sitting in warehouses, afraid to lose them. You know how it often goes with us: better to stash it away somewhere than risk losing it and then have to write it off. Why bother with the hassle?
Coming back to your question, what was I doing on the front line? I was responsible for the company’s communications at the zero line.
My job was to set up the Motorola radios, replace any faulty parts like dead batteries or broken antennas, unlock them if the guys forgot the passwords, charge them using EcoFlow stations, distribute them to the positions, collect them back, and recharge again. I also handled thermal imagers, night vision devices, and power banks.
I was also responsible for finding funds and purchasing various equipment and tools to help set up positions more quickly and efficiently. For example, instead of gas-powered chainsaws, I sourced battery-powered electric saws for the guys, which allowed them to quietly cut wooden logs and cover bunkers. After all, using a gas-powered chainsaw near the zero line almost guaranteed you’d be targeted by at least an automatic grenade launcher or mortar.
That was my job — until a mortar round hit my bunker. Honestly, it’s a miracle I survived. After that, our unit was pulled back for replenishment. Later, I transferred to another unit.
- If I remember correctly, a 120-mm mortar round hit your bunker?
- Either an 82 or a 120. But it was something big — the bunker collapsed.
- What were you doing inside at that moment?
- At that moment, I was taking a short break. There's this problem, "trench foot," when your feet are constantly wet in the trenches, and you have to dry them whenever you get a chance. So I was drying my feet, sorting through my gear, tidying up a bit. Then I realized they had started targeting us directly. At that time in the Serebrianskyi Forest, everything was going crazy— the ruscists had plenty of everything...
- Am I right in understanding that what saved you was the fact that the bunker was two meters deep?
- Yes. The bunker was two meters deep and well reinforced with timber. But in reality, what saved me were my active headphones — it’s a thing. Earlier, I had been told that I wouldn’t really need them at the zero line, that it would be better to have a bigger helmet instead. Because with active headphones, the helmet is cut around the ears, and you basically lose protection in that area.
I didn’t believe it and decided to buy them anyway. And they ended up saving my life. When I realized we were being targeted, I immediately started putting on my boots. The first incoming shell landed about 10–15 meters away. Then the second less than 10 meters. The third one hit the bunker directly but I had about 5–7 seconds to jump out. When the second shell hit nearby, I wasn’t concussed because I was wearing the active headphones. My ears started ringing, but then the headphones kicked in and blocked the blast wave. I stayed clear-headed, fully aware of what I was doing. I ran out — I couldn’t see anything because the explosion had kicked up dust, sand, smoke. But I knew I needed to run — first left, then right — towards our guys. I scrambled into their trench by feel — it was about 10 meters from the bunker. And almost immediately, the third shell hit the bunker dead-on. It collapsed and burned down.
- So it was thanks to those headphones that you weren’t left stunned by the first serious blast and managed to get out in time. And if you hadn’t heard...
- ...First of all, I would’ve been buried under sand. It’s heavy, and I was two meters underground. If that much sand had collapsed on me, I don't know how long I could’ve lasted — I probably wouldn’t have been able to breathe. Second, all my gear in the bunker burned. My rifle was pierced in two places. I actually retrieved it later — it could still fire, even though it had been shot through completely. Basically, all my gear either burned or was shredded by shrapnel. What would’ve happened to me? In the best-case scenario, multiple shrapnel wounds.
- In this interview, we're also trying to bust some myths that people in the rear might have about the job of a radio operator. Many think: what's so dangerous about it? They just sit safely in bunkers connecting units and command — again, something straight out of old movies. But what’s the reality? Does the enemy actually target locations where they know signalers are working?
- Absolutely. Without communications, there’s no coordination — they can simply wipe out your strongpoints one by one, and you’ll have no idea where the enemy is advancing from if there’s no link between positions. Without communications, it’s almost impossible to adjust fire, reconnaissance gets harder, logistics. Even something as basic as preventing friendly fire depends on unit-to-unit coordination. The importance of signalers is often underestimated but without them, we would’ve lost this war a long time ago.
- Let's go back to July 2023. I'll quote your Twitter post from that time: "Alive. Honestly, by a miracle — but alive. Someday, I'll write about my first combat mission, and how on the very first day, we were getting shelled around the clock with everything that flies. And we just kept digging and digging in. Direction — Kreminna. It's really tough here. We're holding on." It seems to me that now’s the time to tell the story of your first mission near Kreminna.
- I could talk for hours just about that mission. I honestly don't know how to describe it briefly... To give you an idea: the officers we had with us at the time didn’t know how to work with "Kropyva". I figured it out in about half an hour, right before the combat mission and that's how we made our first approach to our positions. I led two vehicles carrying personnel through a nighttime forest where none of us had ever been before and I managed to get us to the command and observation post of an adjacent unit. After that, we coordinated with them and moved on to the specific positions we were assigned to.
- Could you explain to the reader what you meant by "figured out Kropyva"? Someone might think you're talking about a plant.
- "Kropyva" is an app for coordinating military operations. It has a chat, a navigator, maps with tactical markings, and so on. For example, if a strike is needed — let’s say someone spots an enemy gun — they mark the target on a map similar to Google Maps. Then they request support from others — for instance, from artillery or mortar teams — saying: "Here’s the target, help us hit it. Coordinates are such and such." The artillerymen receive the coordinates through the app and can then engage the target if they have the right assets. But often, Kropyva is simply used as a navigator by soldiers. And it was thanks to Kropyva that I was able to lead us out of the forest when we got lost.
Actually, to give you some context: most of us were guys who had never fought before. At best, some had completed their compulsory service; a few had combat experience from the ATO days. And yet, we were tasked with replacing paratroopers from the 95th Brigade at the front line…
You can imagine what kind of losses we had. Often, inexperienced guys were killed because they were absolutely unprepared for combat. In my view, if you approach training properly, a soldier’s first mission should at least be a few kilometers away from the zero line — somewhere where shells might occasionally land, but where you can start learning and adapting psychologically to the new reality: That was a "barrel" firing somewhere... That was a Grad strike landing over there... And learning how to react properly to shelling doesn't come instantly.
What I wrote on Twitter back then was the honest truth. During our very first mission, everything was firing at us: Grads, attack helicopters, artillery, mortars, grenade launchers. Later, when we were sitting in bunkers, some of the guys from the 95th Brigade explained things to me: That was a mortar round flying overhead. That one was a Grad incoming. They told me: don't panic. Listen for where the first shell lands, if it's far away, the rest won’t be a threat to you either.
That was such an approach. We were learning to survive right on the zero line. Fighting — that came later. Back then, our task was to dig in and hold our positions.
- You’ve been at war since 2023 and are still serving. Name three major shifts. Simply put — what has changed?
- First of all, thank God, the ruscists no longer have such a huge advantage in the number of shells. The difference between how we were shelled in the summer of 2023 and how it is now, it's huge. Back then, we would take 20–30 incoming shells of various types, while on our side, only one or two rounds would go out — and then silence again. Now, it’s not like that anymore, at least as far as I know.
The second difference: back then, FPV drones weren’t nearly as widespread. Fortunately, at least we weren’t getting hit by those at the time. Now, they’re everywhere.
- And the third difference?
- From what I’ve seen, the training of mobilized troops has actually improved. Of course, there are different training centers, and different people running them — some are better, some worse. There are centers where most of the training is only on paper — guys just fill out notebooks with 96 pages of notes, but get almost no real practice.
On the other hand, there are success stories too, where guys say that things have genuinely gotten better. After training, you actually get assigned to a combat unit and they don't throw you straight onto the zero line, like it was with us. They ease you in step by step, under fire. And that makes a huge difference.
- You mentioned the incredible role of drones in this war among the major changes. Is that why you transferred to aerial reconnaissance, to the Avtomaidan crew?
- I transferred because I see it as the future. Because here I’m working with people I’ve known since the Avtomaidan days, since the Revolution of Dignity. I transferred because I wanted to fight but fight effectively. I didn’t want to fight just to be cannon fodder. And drones are the way to take out the enemy.
- So, if I’ve got it right: the Avtomaidan crew is basically based near Odesa, you spend 80 percent of your combat time in the south and the rest at other spots across Ukraine—still operating under that famous three-letter organization everyone knows about? Did I get everything right?
- Everything’s correct, except that we're increasingly trying to deploy to other directions as well. To test ourselves, our UAV, and our capabilities.
- Also, because your crew’s capabilities might be exactly what other directions need?
- Exactly. Some directions are extremely tough, others a bit easier. We’re keen to test ourselves on the hard ones. Just recently we flew over the Kursk area, where the electronic-warfare jamming is brutal. We said, let’s see whether we can operate there. The Russians have billets and HQs not far behind the line, but our guys can’t hit them because the EW is so heavy that nothing makes it through.
- And what were your successes in the Kursk region?
- Despite the electronic warfare, we hit the enemy concentration point accurately on the very first attempt. The drone made it back, and the mission was completed.
- The system you're still relying on — is it still the "Postman"?
- Yes. We just keep upgrading it all the time. Very soon, we'll be testing a new component for our system that could significantly improve the drone's performance under heavy electronic warfare conditions. And it's Ukrainian-made, meaning we’re not just buying foreign, American, or Chinese parts anymore. Ukraine has started producing some very specialized, truly high-quality components — world-class stuff.
- By the way, why "Postman"? Is it a reference to the famous movie starring Kevin Costner?
- First and foremost, it’s called the ‘Postman’ because it literally started out as a mail carrier. Its initial task was to deliver small parcels to the occupied territory. We then upgraded it—and now the drone can also strike enemy targets. By the way, a completely new drone model based on the Postman airframe, but significantly improved, is coming soon.
- Remind me and our readers — what makes this "Postman" so unique and special?
- It can carry a 7–7.5 kg payload over 50 kilometers, hit a target, and return. It can operate under heavy electronic warfare conditions. The Russians don’t want to die either — they’re constantly improving their defenses, including electronic warfare systems. Areas where we used to fly relatively freely are now much harder to operate in — they’re saturated with EW, and it’s getting better on their side. Now we’re thinking about how to upgrade our systems to counter it.
Incidentally, there are very few real rivals to our UAV. And honestly, I don't understand why, because this is an extremely important line of work. A range of 50 kilometers means you can hit company, battalion, even regimental headquarters. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.
- Since joining the crew, which achievements stand out to you the most?
- What I really like is that we’re getting more and more precise in hitting the enemy. And we’re hitting really important targets — enemy headquarters, command posts, places where Russian officers might be stationed. Wounding or eliminating them can disrupt the Russian army’s defense on certain parts of the front. And honestly, I get a real kick out of it. Knowing that I'm personally helping take down the enemy, with my own hands and my own mind. In some ways, it’s even better than sex. The satisfaction is very similar.
Strike on the permanent command post of Russia’s 26th Motorized Rifle Regiment. Kherson region, March 2025.
- How many people are in your crew, and what are your responsibilities?
- There are four of us at the moment. Sometimes we can complete missions with just three. I'm mostly responsible for prepping for deployments. Once we arrive on site, I also handle part of the drone’s pre-flight preparation. We have a set of procedures we follow to make sure everything is done properly and the flight goes smoothly. I’m also involved in sourcing and purchasing parts that we use to upgrade our UAV.
By the way, we’re currently testing another one of our projects — a drone that can carry an FPV payload 50 kilometers deep, just for the record. We spent a long time perfecting it and now we’re finally seeing consistently good results. So far, only on the training grounds, but soon we’ll test it in combat. And maybe some Russian occupiers will get a surprise visit from our FPV deep behind their lines — exactly where they least expect it.
- So basically, you have to keep upgrading the drones to improve their technological capabilities?
- Exactly. This is war, a race of technologies, and whoever adapts faster to new challenges and upgrades their strike systems technologically will win. Maybe not immediately, but the effect will build up over time.
- At the end of this interview, we'll provide a bank account number so that readers can donate to support the Avtomaidan crew — the ones hitting enemy positions and headquarters deep behind the front lines. Am I right in saying that the funds are needed for parts and upgrades for the "Postman"?
- Yes, absolutely. More advanced components are often more expensive, so we need funds for that. Plus, basics like fuel or casings for our munitions — we make those ourselves too.
- For the readers: Vitalii already described the prep work. I'll just add — sometime closer to nightfall, they gather up, head out to the selected point, set up and start flying. Then they come back, catch some sleep, and get back to work again, with some bits of downtime in between. Did I get that right?
- Exactly. Mostly, we rest by improving our tech — we often head out to the training grounds. We might try out a new part with better specs — and of course, it all has to be tested in flight!
And in our crew, it's really people who are truly passionate about this. It's a real high. People often say that killing ruscists is the best job in the world right now. And I agree. Although, on the other hand, how can killing people be the best job? I don't consider them people. They are the enemy. And if we don't destroy them, they will eliminate us.
If you want to support the Avtomaidan crew, you can donate here:
https://next.privat24.ua/send/cva4n
Yevhen Kuzmenko, Censor.NET
Photos and videos: from the archives of Vitalii Umanets and the Avtomaidan crew.
