drones

"Drone without human is nothing": Is Ukrainian arms export possible without Ukrainian expertise? President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on 28 April the launch of a mechanism for exporting domestically produced weapons. According to him, all the details have finally been agreed at the level of state institutions. Finally, because the issue of arms exports has remained on the agenda of Ukraine’s defense industry since at least December 2024, when it became clear that defense companies were capable of manufacturing more products than the state could afford to contract. 05.05.26 19:52 80 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Defence Builder accelerator COO Yana Shkvarovska: "Defense industry remains risky for investors, especially in Ukraine" Defence Builder is a leading Kyiv-based defense innovation accelerator that directly strengthens the combat capability of Ukraine’s Armed Forces by accelerating Ukrainian and European defense tech companies in areas critical to the Ukrainian front. 23.04.26 23:00 47 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Story of Sting: How "Wild Hornets" made drone interceptor everyone wants The winter of 2024 marked a turning point for the drone industry—that was when several manufacturers began developing interceptors, or interceptor drones. 26.03.26 15:30 515 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

How soldiers of 28th SMB defend sky in eastern Ukraine from Russian drones Drones have changed warfare forever. Ukrainians realized this as early as 2022. The world, given the events in the Middle East, is only beginning to grasp this truth. Relatively inexpensive and easily replicated drones sometimes pose a greater threat than ballistic or cruise missiles. 24.03.26 14:55 81 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

TAF Industries CEO Volodymyr Zinovskyi: It is impossible to create complete radio silence. Neither for us nor for enemy TAF Industries is a leading Ukrainian military tech company that develops and manufactures defence technologies. Since 2023, it has been creating solutions to enhance combat superiority and protect the lives of military personnel and civilians. 12.02.26 21:23 109 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

It all comes down to exports: What does Ukraine’s defense industry need in 2026? Ukraine’s defense industrial complex has demonstrated an unprecedented surge during the full-scale war with the Russian Federation. According to the Ministry of Defense, the capacity of the domestic defense industry has grown from $1 billion to $35 billion. 06.02.26 21:41 265 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

War of drones and war of budgets: Who will win in 2026? The rapid development of unmanned technologies in Ukraine has reshaped the logic of funding and procurement so that the innovative solutions the country needs in wartime reach the battlefield as quickly as possible. 31.12.25 21:47 227 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Combat simulators developer Ihor Bielov: we’re moving toward single digital environment where all branches can train without crowding training areas On December 10, 2025, Ukrainian developer Simtech Solutions unveiled Ukrainian Fight Drone Simulator (UFDS), a realistic combat FPV drone simulator now available on Steam. It is a professional training platform built on real combat operations, and it is now available not only to military personnel but also to civilian users. 23.12.25 21:58 184 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Era of Ukrainian drones that reshaped war. How UAVs evolved on battlefield On December 15, details emerged of a new brazen operation by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that can be ranked alongside the now-legendary "Spiderweb". This time, using Sub Sea Baby underwater drones, the SBU blew up an enemy Varshavyanka-class submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, estimated to be worth $400 million. It was the first time anything like this had happened in history. 22.12.25 22:01 260 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukrainian Armor CEO Vladyslav Belbas: Excessive bureaucratization of procurement process in defense industry market adversely affects army supplies Ukraine’s defense industry is currently at its peak, accounting for a third of domestic GDP growth. However, the sector faces enormous challenges, primarily linked to a lack of funding. 17.12.25 22:38 107 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Viktor Pavlov: "UGV is expensive hardware, but compared to human life, it costs pennies" This is not just an interview, but a full-fledged tour of the UGV school based at the Third Assault Brigade, which Viktor Pavlov and his comrades have been developing since January 2025. Demand for training among service members is so high that the waiting list is booked eight months ahead. Unmanned ground vehicles are becoming increasingly widespread at the front, but there are not enough people who can train qualified operators. The state welcomes the initiative but does not yet fund it, so the team has to look for resources for their activities on their own. 05.12.25 21:54 137 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Is rise of machines near? What drone synergy is and how it affects war A vivid example of drone synergy is the sinking of the Russian cruiser Moskva. The decisive blow to the ship was delivered by two Neptune missiles, but at the time a Bayraktar TB2 UAV could have been drawing the cruiser’s air defences onto itself, or identifying the target, pinpointing its coordinates and cueing the coastal missile system. Thanks to drone synergy, the effectiveness of different types of weapons increases many times over, making it possible to achieve results that once seemed impossible. 27.11.25 21:55 205 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

"Technologies in exchange for money": why Ukraine is stalling defense partnerships and what to do about it Ukraine’s partnerships with the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the Baltic states have already cemented a new cooperation model — "funding in exchange for technologies." This is not a classic barter deal but a modern logic of co-development and data sharing: EU countries gain access to Ukrainian know-how, while Ukraine gains access to markets, funding, and a manufacturing base. Yet behind this politically neat picture lies a systemic problem: Ukrainian laws and bureaucracy often block exactly what partners are ready to finance. 24.11.25 15:13 81 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

About "Fire Point and Mindich" Fire Point designer Denys Shtilerman has, in recent days, been so adamant in denying that Mindich has any ties to the company that is absorbing the lion’s share of Ukraine’s entire drone budget that he went as far as re-registering the firm in his own name. And along the way, he said so much that it only made things worse. 24.11.25 15:31 12 460 47 Previously in trend: Mindichgate

Arms exports "for our own"? What lies behind president’s statements and what industry really expects Arms exports have stayed in the headlines of Ukrainian and international media at least since late 2024, when the state, the primary customer for the defence industry, hit the limits of its financial capacity. 10.11.25 22:04 204 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

How are UAV units fighting against Russia? Board game has been created in Ukraine that explains details of "drone war." Have you heard the name "Dronovody"? No, it’s not a book or even a film, it’s a new board game, created and field-tested by Russo-Ukrainian war veteran Andrii Mochurad and his comrades-in-arms. 04.11.25 22:01 3 603 16

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 22:28 116 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 22:23 152 0

Europe is rearming through Ukraine: how €2 billion for drones is turning war into industry of future When Ursula von der Leyen stepped up to the press in Brussels in late September, her words sounded like a dry bureaucratic statement — but in fact, they marked the beginning of a new era. "We have agreed with Ukraine that a total of €2 billion will be spent on drones right now. This will allow Ukraine to scale up production and harness its full potential. And, of course, it will also enable the European Union to benefit from this technology." 20.10.25 22:59 200 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

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 22:34 197 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

How DOT-Chain Defence is changing rules of game for Ukraine’s drone industry DOT-Chain Defence is a digital platform that enables military units to order defence products directly from manufacturers. It primarily covers the procurement of drones and electronic warfare (EW) systems. 14.10.25 22:11 471 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 9 534 5

How can Ukraine tame "menagerie of drones" and should it be done? The Russian-Ukrainian war, and especially its full-scale phase, has forever changed military science. If the appearance of tanks on the battlefields of the First World War once turned the tide of war, today their effectiveness is in doubt. And all because of drones. 10.10.25 22:46 335 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

UNEX UGV project lead: 70-80% of ground operations will involve UGVs Unmanned technologies today cover the air, sea, and land domains. But while UAVs and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) are widely discussed, with plenty of footage of them in action online, ground systems have largely remained in the shadows. At the same time, the demand for such machines at the front is considerable. They are employed not only for logistics missions but also for minelaying and demining, as well as casualty evacuation. Experts see significant potential in the employment of UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles). 29.09.25 15:02 362 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

"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 19:11 258 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

"I imagined storming treelines and dugouts, just like guys do," UAV pilot, call sign "Ket" ...She was 20 when she signed a contract with the 110th TDF Brigade. Since then, Kateryna Krepysheva, call sign Ket, has flown first heavy bomber UAVs, then fixed-wing UAVs. She has fought on the Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, and Vuhledar directions, and in Zaporizhzhia and Kursk regions as well as in Sumy region. 22.09.25 23:00 27 003 17 Previously in trend: Women in AFU Drone operators

I demand that looters be brought to justice and competition be brought back to drone market For a whole year, we have been fighting against the enemy and our deaf military bureaucrats, finding money, opportunities, equipment, and drones ourselves. We developed and built drones and radio-electronic reconnaissance stations ourselves, and bought, equipped, and repaired vehicles at our own expense. 18.09.25 10:14 105 129 118 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Call sign Vovk: "Sometimes enemy doesn’t react to drone. You fly, and he either just looks or keeps walking." Today, Pavlo serves as an FPV drone operator with the 25th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. In the military, he is known by the call sign Vovk (Wolf). He came up with it easily, recalling how he used to wear T-shirts with this animal as a child. His comrades sometimes jokingly call him "wolf cub," given his young age, he is 25 years old. 17.09.25 21:59 9 531 3 Previously in trend: Drone operators Drone industry

Thieves and looters never win wars Danish national broadcaster DR reports that the Danish government will use the broad powers granted to it by a new emergency law to override 20 other laws and speed up the construction of a rocket fuel plant for Ukrainian company Fire Point with Danish taxpayers’ money. 15.09.25 14:54 12 225 51 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Effectiveness of deep strike On average, deep-strike drones cost around $100,000, and I’m actually understating it, since some run close to $200,000, yet no direct link between price and effectiveness has been observed. 15.09.25 21:17 11 081 22 Previously in trend: Strike on Russian airfield Drone industry Strikes on Russian logistics

"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 3 978 6 Previously in trend: UAVs

Divine retribution: Top 10 UAV types in Ukraine’s drone industry Today, Ukraine has more than 500 active UAV manufacturers and over 1,000 UAV models. During the full-scale war, production has increased 800-fold: from 5,000 units in 2022 to 4 million by the end of 2024. Investment in the sector exceeded $60 million last year. 09.09.25 20:11 928 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

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 29 649 118 Previously in trend: Result of the work of the air force

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 17:38 102 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Defence City: Boost for defence industry or closed club for chosen few? On August 21, the Verkhovna Rada passed, on second reading and in full, two key bills to implement the Defence City initiative, a special legal regime for defence industry enterprises. 27.08.25 20:20 362 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

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 22:55 266 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

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 14:55 509 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Build with Ukraine: How will Zelenskyy’s announced program impact Ukraine’s defense industry? The Build with Ukraine program envisions the export of Ukrainian military technologies and the establishment of production lines abroad. Primarily, it focuses on manufacturing various types of drones, rockets, and artillery within partner countries that are already funding defense production or planning to do so. Leading the initiative are Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania. 31.07.25 22:15 619 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

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 12:26 192 0

Call sign Taxi Driver: "Enemy drones hover over our infantry positions almost nonstop. There are so many of them." His military path began at 18 with compulsory service, which, due to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shifted from training to resistance against the enemy. During the first few days of the major war, he maintained order at the capital’s train station. Then he guarded Kyiv’s checkpoints. After that came battles in Donbas, a concussion, treatment and rehabilitation, and a growing interest in UAVs. 15.07.25 21:14 9 439 4

Commander of "Dovbush’s Hornets," call sign Liutyi: "We have many ideas for using various types of drones. But we need people for that. And we need them now" Major Viacheslav Shevchuk, call sign Liutyi, belongs to the category of commanders who speak about their own path in the war only as a last resort. Only if a journalist specifically asks. But when it comes to various aspects of the war, relations with his soldiers, or reforms in the Armed Forces — he is more than willing to talk. 23.06.25 22:45 10 621 19

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 16 283 7

Commander of "Rarog" Regiment, Oleh Huit: "I was stunned when Russian infantryman advancing on crutches. Obviously, he didn’t make it very far" Major Oleh Huit, call sign Khasan, first observed the use of an unmanned aerial system in Popasna at the beginning of the full-scale war. At the time, he was commanding a mortar battery. Today, he leads the 427th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems "Rarog," whose troops specialize in aerial reconnaissance, patrol missions, fire adjustment using UAVs, and deploying strike drones. 21.04.25 19:34 13 752 4 Previously in trend: War Drone operators

Blocking supply of drones to military units: who is to blame and what has been done It is becoming a bad tradition of the Cabinet of Ministers to adopt resolutions that are detrimental to the supply of the frontline. In 2023, this was the case with Resolution 335, which forgot to mention the word "profit", and after which some defence companies were threatened with criminal proceedings. At the end of 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted Resolution 1450, which effectively blocked the procurement of drones and electronic warfare for military units. 26.02.25 13:02 8 008 15

Best UAV units – eliminators of occupiers, January ranking The stream is dedicated to the drone warfare. A report on our top UAV strike units based on their performance in January. 17.02.25 22:29 25 724 4

Destruction rating: problems and solutions I have to inform you about a high-profile conflict situation in the circles of UAV commanders. In December 2024, one of the brigades submitted a report claiming the highest number of targets destroyed in its area of responsibility. 29.01.25 17:20 8 877 9

Filatov, Commander of 1st Da Vinci SAB: We will be able to hold Pokrovsk if we are provided with drones and appropriate solutions Dmytro Filatov, Commander of the 1st Separate Assault Battalion "Da Vinci", on the situation around Pokrovsk and the lack of minimum state supply of drones. 23.12.24 18:30 8 635 18

Pilot with call sign Zub: "We strike until head blows off or until you see that it’s definitely over" FPV drone pilot and engineer of the Drongo UAV Strike Group of the Arei Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, Serhii, call sign Zub (Tooth), had no previous experience in the military. He did not even serve conscript service. He has always been actively involved in sports. He was a champion of Ukraine and Europe in Thai boxing. 03.12.24 22:45 16 930 4