war in Ukraine

Hero of Ukraine Dmytro Vitiaz: "Sometimes enemy dons civilian clothes and, in urban combat, tries to infiltrate our combat formations" Lieutenant Colonel Dmytro Vitiaz commands the 4th Separate Special-Purpose Detachment "Omega" of the National Guard of Ukraine. His work largely remains out of public view but is critical to countering the enemy. 29.10.25 22:21 6 889 3

Prudent use of funds is necessary for survival and combat planning To achieve success in modern combat, a commander must plan the key factors, the sequence of which determines the pace of the operation. 27.10.25 13:42 4 620 12

DEVIRO technical director Denys Chumachenko: Drones will gain artificial intelligence in two years. But not all of them Denys Chumachenko, Chief Technical Officer at the drone manufacturing company DEVIRO, began working with UAVs long before they became mainstream. He gained his experience abroad in the early years of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Denys decided to apply it in practice back in Ukraine, at a time when the number of drone manufacturers could still be counted on one hand. 23.10.25 22:28 46 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Drone war: What Ukraine has shown world. View from America Yurii Vanetyk is a financier, private investor, business strategist, and political consultant who emigrated to the United States with his parents in the 1970s. For Censor.NET’s Industry of Drones project, he shared his insights on how the war in Ukraine and the drone revolution it has sparked have reshaped global defense strategies, particularly in the United States. And why Ukraine’s experience is immensely valuable for global security. 22.10.25 22:23 56 0

Call sign Deputy: "Ka-52 flew past us and fired missile. Quite sight! After that, mortar was hardly noticeable" Volodymyr earned the call sign "Deputy" for a reason, in peacetime, he was directly involved in politics, working as an aide to a member of parliament. His focus was mainly on local community issues in the Kyiv region. But when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, his life, like that of all Ukrainians, changed completely. 17.10.25 21:08 7 496 5 Previously in trend: Drone operators

Chief of Staff of 412th Nemesis Regiment Artem Bielienkov: In UAV deployment, Ukraine has realized roughly 25% of its potential. There’s room for improvement The interview with the unit’s chief of staff, Artem Bielienkov, was recorded to the droning of "Shaheds" that Russia once again launched at peaceful Ukrainian cities. 15.10.25 22:34 59 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Commander of aerial reconnaissance platoon, callsign Baton: "Elimination of apes who came to Ukrainian soil is now taking place daily on industrial scale." ...At the beginning of the war in 2022, he vowed not to shave until Ukraine’s Victory. Since then, Andrii has come to resemble either Gimli from The Lord of the Rings or Hagrid from the Harry Potter series. A Ukrainian Hagrid of sorts, defending his land from the evil creeping in from the north. 14.10.25 22:15 9 021 5

"We walked path of deadly shadow" — story of soldier with call sign Fin about fighting on Sumy border The time will come when a film will be made about the events described in an interview with Censor.NET by Bohdan Bakhtyn, a soldier of the 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, call sign Fin. A feature film. Because of what happened this year near the village of Zhuravka, in how our soldiers, despite severe wounds, fought back against the enemy who surrounded them, and then made their way through swamps and forests to rejoin their comrades, there’s so much packed into it that it will be watched in one sitting, reliving what these guys went through. 13.10.25 23:00 10 037 5

I would advise everyone joining army to learn how to mobilize their mind. When you have clear plan, it’s easier to overcome fear – Yurii Hrytsyk, deputy battalion commander of "Golden Gates" battalion of 241st TDF Brigade Archaeologist Yurii Hrytsyk (Perun) joined the army on the very first day of the full-scale war. The "Golden Gates" battalion of the 241st Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) Brigade has remained his unit ever since (previously known as the 207th Territorial Defense Forces Battalion). 10.10.25 17:27 6 038 13 Previously in trend: War

They jumped head-first off top bunk to break their necks. They were ready to do anything not to go hungry. For example, take blame for crime - Dmytro Turkivskyi on his time in captivity Dmytro Turkivskyi is a serviceman of the 1st Separate Battalion of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. At just 19, he found himself at the very heart of Russia’s assault on Mariupol. Forty-two days of defense, captivity, and 1,246 days in imprisonment - trials that seem unimaginable to most became his reality. 08.10.25 22:06 10 261 7

Infantryman Taras Varlam: "Mortar shell lands, we hit deck to avoid shrapnel. But my comrade still gets hit. He yells to me: "Tarik, my leg’s been blown off!’" Introducing Taras Varlam, his comrade said he had been caught in heavy "dust-ups" more than once. Unsurprising, as he has been fighting since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion at the most intense sectors of the front — in the Luhansk region and in the Pokrovsk and Northern Slobozhanskyi directions. 07.10.25 20:30 8 175 2

Situation on frontlines in October. Yurii Butusov’s livestream Livestream by Yurii Butusov, platoon commander of the 13th "Khartiia" Brigade, on the situation on the frontlines in October 06.10.25 21:10 7 201 9 Previously in trend: Butusov Plus

"I naively thought guitar could make difference. Then I realized you can only make difference by physically eliminating enemy," – Haidamaky guitarist Andrii Slieptsov Haidamaky guitarist Andrii Slieptsov (Slipyi) overestimated the idea of attacking the enemy with music after the full-scale invasion began. And since then, he has been defending Ukraine as a service member. He is currently a UAV operator with the 426th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion of the Marine Corps, a fighter in the "Couriers of the Apostle Peter" group. 02.10.25 22:20 6 035 9 Previously in trend: Drone operators

Infantrywoman Vyrva: In rear, there should be 6-8 people working for each infantryman. Infantry is beginning and end of everything On March 12, a Russian assault group attacks a position near Spirne, where fighter Vyrva, soldier Shustryi, and Colombian Pinho are holding the defence. During a fierce battle, the Russians blow up the pit where our fighters are holding their defence. For two days, Vyrva and her wounded comrades had been under the rubble. 01.10.25 15:44 5 738 9

Yanis Tereshchenko: "There are no grounds to believe that this war could end in near future" You may have seen reconnaissance soldier of the Third Army Corps, Yanis Tereshchenko, in the news, where it was reported how he helped a young man in Venice who had suffered multiple stab wounds. The victim was lying on the street, bleeding heavily. Yanis was in the city with his family and happened to be passing by. He applied a tourniquet, saving the man’s life. Afterwards, the mayor of Venice met with our serviceman to thank him and present him with an award. 23.09.25 22:31 15 107 29

"Problem is not arms exports but lack of funding and orders" – Tech Force in UA president Vadym Yunyk Vadym Yunyk, co-founder of FRDM and president of the Tech Force in UA, spoke to Censor.NET’s "Drone Industry" project about Europe’s challenges, the effectiveness of drones, government procurement, and the outlook for Ukraine’s defense industry. The conversation draws on fresh analysis of the war’s evolution in Ukraine and its impact on global security. Our interlocutor shares his views on the challenges facing Europe, the effectiveness of drones, government procurement, and the prospects of Ukraine’s defense industry. The interview took place amid tense developments at the front, where Ukraine continues to demonstrate unique expertise in hybrid warfare. 22.09.25 19:11 120 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Prosecutor in trenches His name is well known in law enforcement circles from high-profile cases of the Maidan, the "diamond prosecutors," the Kaharlyk rape case, and the first conviction of the "wassailer" judge Ihor Zvarych. Prosecutor Yanis Simonov, head of a department at the Office of the Prosecutor General, has marked 20 years of service in the prosecution system, rising to the rank of senior justice adviser and surviving more than one assassination attempt. At the outset of the full-scale invasion, despite having a military exemption, he joined the Territorial Defense Forces. 18.09.25 23:00 6 201 10

"Vampire" UAV operator, call sign Kolektor: "My job is simple: get to position, take controller in my hands and make b***ards hurt badly" …For the interview with Censor.NET, Kolektor showed up in a balaclava, a decorative one at that: a menacing skull adorned with vampire fangs 12.09.25 20:29 3 747 6 Previously in trend: UAVs

Eliminated two occupiers by posing as Russian soldier YuYu, a fighter from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelia," near Novotoretske, took out two occupiers by posing as a Russian serviceman. An extraordinary story of an extraordinary man. In an exclusive account, he spoke about his combat path: service in the Marine Corps, time with the Territorial Defense Forces, and a wound sustained near Chasiv Yar. He also described how, keeping his cool, he let two Russian soldiers close to point-blank range before opening fire. 09.09.25 22:50 4 778 3

On weakness of our Ukrainian air defence and helplessness of our long-range weapons The night air attack clearly demonstrated the weakness of our Ukraine’s air defences, the helplessness of our long-range weapons, and the flaws of state policy in developing these two critical components of modern warfare. It also revealed the reasons behind these mistakes, this weakness, and this helplessness – widespread dilettantism and corruption at the top. 08.09.25 22:20 29 284 118 Previously in trend: Result of the work of the air force

Together on front line and in life: story of military couple We met in the center of Kyiv that morning, when the right bank was still shrouded in smoke after one of the largest overnight bombardments. Fires were still being extinguished across the city, rescuers were clearing the rubble, and the air was polluted and heavy. And into this grim reality they appeared: beautiful, smiling, and calm. Yaroslav and Yuliia — a young military couple who had consciously put their normal life on hold to defend the country from the enemy. 05.09.25 19:16 12 017 4 Previously in trend: Drone operators

"Millionaires" from "Contract 18–24" and their comrades-in-arms held line for 12 days while fully encircled Four soldiers of the 3rd Assault Battalion of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade held the line for 12 days under complete encirclement in the village of Razine, Pokrovsk district, Donetsk region. It was from here that Russian forces sought to press the offensive toward the Dobropillia–Kramatorsk highway. 03.09.25 23:00 8 400 14 Previously in trend: Russian assault on Pokrovsk direction Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction

Artificial intelligence and space technologies: How should EW systems evolve? The war in Ukraine has long been dubbed by global media and experts as "the first drone war." In modern warfare, a multi-million-dollar tank can be taken out by five drones costing at most $3,000. A drone can now fly up to 50 km deep and paralyze logistics. Under these conditions, electronic warfare (EW) assets play a key role. 02.09.25 17:38 35 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

They rescued their comrades from captivity, then broke out of encirclement together: feat of infantrymen from National Guard of Ukraine’s "Kara-Dag" Brigade This is a story about those we could have lost. About the soldiers who rescued their comrades from captivity and then found themselves encircled. About the courage of our Cossacks, who did not surrender even when there was no chance. 01.09.25 22:25 8 184 3

Call sign Shturman: "If you don’t hear UAV buzzing above you — dig. Because it’s about to appear." He makes difficult decisions and bears responsibility that is hard to put into words for civilians. Under his command is the reconnaissance battalion of the 13th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartiia." 26.08.25 21:45 8 851 2

Feat of Artist’s group: Four captured 15 On December 19, four Russian IFVs broke through to the village of Zahryzove in the Kharkiv region and landed two platoons of troops, numbering over 40 people, in the rear of Ukrainian positions. Pavel Holchynko’s assault group, codenamed Artist, from the 78th Separate Airborne Regiment, received orders to clear the settlement of Russian infantry. 26.08.25 15:30 5 670 9 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Lack of specialists affecting country’s defence capability. What to do? Ukraine suffers from a shortage of personnel. The shortage of specialists is felt everywhere - both at the front and in the rear. First of all, defence companies suffer from this. The required specialists are either already working, mobilised or have gone abroad. However, the problem is complex and did not appear yesterday. The Great War simply elevated it to an absolute. 15.08.25 22:55 97 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Call sign Tyson: "We saw how Russian commit suicide on live feed" Artem is only 21 but already has experience under his belt that many much older people shouldn’t have to face. He now operates a Vampire hexacopter with the Unmanned Systems Battalion (UBS) "Pathfinder" of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade (SMB). Call sign Tyson. He got it because he boxed when he was younger. He could have kept training and tending bar, as he did before the army, but he signed a contract in early 2023. 06.08.25 20:04 7 350 13 Previously in trend: Drone operators

How Ukraine became global leader in UAV production and deployment The development of unmanned systems in Ukraine began with Russia’s invasion of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions in 2014. Initially intended for aerial photography, drones soon started being used for reconnaissance. 05.08.25 14:55 206 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

"...I had already said goodbye to life in my mind. I thought: if I’m going to die, let it be in battle, not shot in back," – call sign Rico It would not be an exaggeration to say that the story of 51-year-old Anatolii Ostapchuk is, in many ways, an encyclopedia of this war. 04.08.25 16:01 15 347 4 Previously in trend: Tactical medicine

"Back then, there were more mine-blast wounds. Now, no matter what you ask guys, they say: drone flew in, drone, drone..." - war veteran, anaesthesiologist at Sumy Central City Hospital, Maryna Bilinska About life in the Sumy region today; about how people here live in the midst of death. Also, how doctors operate on wounded soldiers, and why Sumy, unfortunately, still has a lot of ordinary people from the series "What’s the Difference"... 30.07.25 13:51 12 909 7 Previously in trend: Tactical medicine

"My dream is to hit something harder. Tanks, large ammo depot, or rare radar station" – UAV operator Liana Kononchuk ("Dovbush’s Wasps") In her drive to be as useful and effective as possible, call sign Konon joined the "Dovbush’s Wasps" — the UAV battalion of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush. 18.07.25 20:20 5 618 13

Enter kill zone: Ukraine’s drone-infested front slows Russian advance According to internal Ukrainian estimates seen by Reuters, drones accounted for 69% of strikes on Russian troops and 75% of strikes on vehicles and equipment in 2024. About 18% of strikes on Russian infantry and 15% of strikes on vehicles and equipment were conducted with artillery, and even less with mortars 17.07.25 12:26 168 0

Pensioner from Kyiv region Halyna Tyshchenko: Last Russian tank was retreating and shooting everything around Ten years ago, the woman and her family relocated from Kramatorsk, which was under occupation for several months in 2014, to the Kyiv region. They believed there would never be war here... What Halyna endured in her own home in March 2022 is something one could only wish upon the enemy — that the same be done to each of them for the rest of their lives. 10.07.25 21:31 15 356 4

Interview with captive native of Donetsk region who fought in 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade of RF Armed Forces Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Simonov, born on March 12, 1981, was born, raised, and worked in the city of Dobropillia, Donetsk region — in Ukraine. In 2014, after the onset of Russian aggression, he gathered his family and fled to Russia, settling in Tula. Ten years later, in March 2025, Simonov made his final choice: he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and returned to Ukraine as part of the occupying army. 09.07.25 18:20 7 768 23 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier

"...Chechens approached from rear, shouting ’We’re friendlies!’ But my brother-in-arms didn’t buy it: "Friendlies, my foot — you’re wearing red tape!"- platoon commander of NGU, call sign Levi …Svitozar Zaiats joined the war at the age of 23. His very first combat experience proved that the National Guard was lucky to have the young railway worker: a cool head, no trace of panic, and natural leadership made Svitozar an effective soldier and later, a platoon commander. Once again, war revealed who among men is best suited to operate under its harsh laws… 04.07.25 22:52 130 447 25

"When people ask me what I do for living, I say I’m waitress. Why should everyone know I’m helicopter pilot?" Kateryna is the only female pilot in the army aviation. For now, as professionals say, she occupies the right "seat." In time, she will move to the pilot-in-command’s seat. 03.07.25 21:07 59 172 29 Previously in trend: AFU aviation

Only winning strategy is attrition rate that enemy cannot sustain – Butusov Why did Yurii Butusov, editor-in-chief of Censor.NET and the journalist who was the loudest whistleblower of problems in the army and a critic of the military-political leadership, decide to join the military now? Also, about the Defense Forces’ transition to corps-level formations, those responsible for the constant drone shortages, the absent and inadequate fortifications on the critical offensive directions, and the two scenarios left for us as a country: the current pessimistic one and another, more challenging, that demands political will. 01.07.25 22:46 11 468 47 Previously in trend: Butusov on the strategy for victory in the war

Call sign Khmuryi: "Fiber-optic drones are best for targeting military hardware. Or when you need to fly precisely into basement. It’s "ace up your sleeve" Vadym, an FPV pilot of the Ghost of Khortytsia UAV battalion of the 15th Karadag Rapid Response Brigade, has the call sign Khmuryi (Grim). He "inherited" it from his cousin, who served in the same brigade and passed the call sign on after he was discharged. He entered the army in 2019, signed a contract at the age of 20 and went into service. One month before the full-scale invasion, he found himself in a combat zone during a rotation as part of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). 30.06.25 19:47 16 715 2

Servicewoman Nataliia Zotova: "Send those ladies flipping TCR vehicles to do community service – have them deliver draft notices" She was working as a journalist at the "1+1" TV channel when she decided she was ready to enter public service and went on to head the Social Welfare Department. However, she left that position and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine after realizing she no longer wanted to review documents submitted by men looking for legal ways to avoid mobilization. 27.06.25 22:49 38 607 177 Previously in trend: Women in AFU

"94 days of fighting without rotation" — feat of fighters from NGU battalion "Donbas" near Chasiv Yar The feat of the soldiers from the "Donbas" Special Purpose Battalion of the 18th Sloviansk Brigade of the NGU in the area of Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region. For almost three months, Ukrainian soldiers have been holding the line of defence under constant enemy fire without rotation, rest or pauses 19.06.25 22:44 5 592 13 Previously in trend: Butusov Plus Situation in the Donetsk region

Drone operator Anton Borysevych: If we eliminate fewer than five occupiers in day, I consider it ineffective When you hear a story about a drone operator charging at an enemy tank with a rifle and successfully hitting it, you know you’re dealing with an extraordinary person and warrior. 11.06.25 22:25 7 462 8 Previously in trend: Drone operators

After-action review should also be implemented for medics, just as it is done by regular military – Viktoriia Kovach (Avicenna), head of medical unit of Third Army Corps Viktoriia Kovach quickly corrected the Censor.NET journalist: "I’m no longer the head of the medical unit of the Third Assault Brigade, but of the Third Army Corps. I’ve been handling medical support in the Army Corps for about a month now. We are shaping the policy for delivering this medical support within the new system." 05.06.25 21:53 6 485 8

Oleksii Barsuk: "While operating "Osa", I destroyed 61 targets. One of them was Su-25 jet." On the first day of the full-scale invasion, Oleksii Barsuk’s crew shot down an enemy Su-25. For that action the soldiers were recommended for state decorations. At the time they were operating an Osa surface-to-air missile system. Today my interviewee is the deputy commander of a UAV-interceptor battalion within the 1129th Bila Tserkva SAM Regiment. He is fighting in the Donbas—an area that has known no peace throughout the entire Russo-Ukrainian war. 03.06.25 20:10 10 935 3

Call sign "Chek": "Everyone’s banking on drones. It’s come to point where drone pilots are hunting down other pilots along contact line. When they locate one, they unleash everything Oleksandr, call sign "Chek", is currently training to operate naval unmanned drones. He serves as an unmanned systems officer (external operator of USVs (uncrewed surface vessels)) within the unit of the Special Purpose Center’s separate diving detachment of the National Guard of Ukraine. 26.05.25 21:40 16 016 7

Infantryman Roman Boiko: Gas quickly filled basement area, I felt my eyes, throat, and nose starting to burn. Breathing became difficult. When Roman Boiko decided to volunteer for the front line, he understood he would need to undergo extensive training to join the unit he had chosen. Reflecting on boot camp — what’s known as "day zero" — the 28-year-old National Guardsman says it was an honor for him to earn the Azov patch. 23.05.25 22:00 6 846 4

LICENCE FOR BUCHA, ZELENSKYY’S TRUMP CARD AND TRUMP’S OFFICIAL FUNCTION If Ukraine commits, in any form, not to reclaim its occupied territories by military means, that would constitute capitulation. In other words, it would mean ending resistance to aggression. 20.05.25 19:30 13 063 18

Can peace talks force Putin to halt? The situation is difficult both for us and for the enemy. The Russians are advancing — but at the cost of heavy losses. 15.05.25 22:32 10 807 29