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Drones have become a pivotal force in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, with both sides integrating these unmanned aerial vehicles in their warfare strategies. The Ukrainian forces have made significant strides with drone technologies, such as employing FPV and kamikaze drones to inflict damage on Russian occupiers and their equipment. Notably, the SSU's naval and aerial drones have targeted key Russian assets like oil platforms and tankers, showcasing their capability to strike beyond the immediate battlefront. As statistics indicate, Ukraine's relentless drone missions have led to the neutralization of approximately 81,500 enemy targets. However, the conflict's nature sees both Ukraine and Russia utilizing nearly the same number of drones, despite Russia's artillery and missile advantage. This parity in drone deployment highlights the critical role these unmanned systems play in modern warfare, providing a tactical edge by targeting infrastructure and disrupting enemy operations effectively.

How are drones impacting the conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

Drones significantly impact the Ukraine-Russia conflict by enabling swift, targeted strikes on enemy positions, infrastructure, and equipment. They provide real-time intelligence, enhance situational awareness, and allow for more precise and less risky engagements. Ukraine's extensive use of drones has enabled them to neutralize thousands of enemy targets, although Russia continues to leverage its artillery and missile systems alongside drone technology.

What types of drones are utilized by Ukrainian forces?

Ukrainian forces use various drone types in the conflict, including FPV drones, kamikaze drones, and naval drones. These unmanned systems are pivotal for executing strategic attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, and delivering decisive strikes on enemy personnel and vehicles. Ukrainian operators have effectively used drones to target Russian oil infrastructures, military convoys, and defensive positions both on land and at sea.

Why are drones considered crucial in modern warfare?

Drones are crucial in modern warfare due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and reduced risk to human life. They offer advanced surveillance, intelligence gathering, and precision strike capabilities that conventional methods lack. Drones enhance operational efficiency, enabling forces to engage targets from a distance, thus minimizing collateral damage and allowing for continuous monitoring without exposing personnel to frontline dangers.

Are there any notable drone strikes in the Ukraine conflict?

Yes, notable drone strikes in the Ukraine conflict include attacks on Russian oil platforms, the successful engagement of enemy convoys, and the neutralization of military installations. Ukrainian forces have demonstrated improved tactical capabilities, employing drones for high-impact strikes on critical targets, which disrupt adversarial logistics and weaken their operational capabilities.

What is the strategic importance of Ukraine's drone capabilities?

Ukraine's drone capabilities hold strategic importance as they offer a tactical advantage in disrupting Russian military operations effectively. With drones accounting for a major portion of strike operations, these assets reinforce Ukraine's defensive and offensive measures by providing real-time battlefield intelligence and executing precision strikes. Their role is vital in leveling the playing field against Russia's artillery superiority.

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Articles drones

Vladyslav Belbas 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. 20 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Viktor Pavlov Viktor Pavlov: "UGV is expensive hardware, but compared to human life is 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. 54 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

drone 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. 67 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Denys Shtilerman 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. 12 064 47 Previously in trend: Mindichgate

money, Armed Forces of Ukraine "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. 30 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

leleka drones 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. 45 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Andrii Mochurad 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. 3 340 16

DEVIRO Technical Director Denys Chumachenko 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. 56 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

drones 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. 67 0

drones, Germany 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." 64 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Chief of Staff of 412th Nemesis Regiment Artem Bielienkov 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. 68 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Baton 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. 9 149 5

DOT-Chain Defense 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. 98 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Ukraine is increasing its industrial capacity for drone production. 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. 145 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

UNEX UGV 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). 109 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

UAV pilot Ket "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. 26 624 17 Previously in trend: Women in AFU Drone operators

Vadym Yunyk, co-founder of FRDM, president of Tech Force in UA "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. 137 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Yermak 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. 104 747 118 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Vovk 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. 9 203 3 Previously in trend: Drone operators Drone industry

Two oil refineries in Russia attacked 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. 10 757 22 Previously in trend: Strike on Russian airfield Drone industry Strikes on Russian logistics

drone 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. 11 849 51 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Kolektor "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 3 774 6 Previously in trend: UAVs

General Staff report 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. 330 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

Flamingo winged missile Video of launch 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. 29 307 118 Previously in trend: Result of the work of the air force

Major Viktor Kordon, Head of the Radio-Electronic and Cyber Warfare Department of the 7th Corps of the Airborne Forces 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. 46 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

defence 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. 134 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

education, vocational training 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. 107 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

The K-2 battalion has been transformed into the 20th separate regiment of unmanned systems. 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. 224 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

drones 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. 296 0 Previously in trend: Drone industry

drones, UAV 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 169 0

Taxi Driver 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. 9 305 4

Liutyi 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. 10 371 19

Chek 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. 16 042 7

Hasan 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. 13 497 4 Previously in trend: War Drone operators

drone 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. 7 841 15

The Ministry of Defense authorized more than 140 Ukrainian drones for use 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. 23 743 4

Destruction of the enemy and equipment by drones 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. 8 747 9

Military situation around Pokrovsk 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. 8 535 18

Zub (Tooth) 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. 16 832 4

army, drones Who will be in charge of drones? Minister of Digital Transformation Fedorov is no longer in charge of drone procurement. The head of the OP Yermak will be in charge of drones, and the money will be distributed by the official who controlled finances under the leadership of Reznikov. 11 122 18

дрон,скіф Call sign Skif: "We had cases of such powerful enemy attacks that 40 drones were lost in day" A pilot and engineer with the BULAVA unit of the 3rd Mechanised Battalion of the Separate Presidential Brigade named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, call sign Skif, had no military experience before the full-scale invasion, except for his military service. He worked as a trucker in the European Union. At the end of February 2022, he was on holiday at home. 7 204 0

війна From director of nude beach to famous battalion commander: combat day with Kyrylo Veres This is a report full of facts, figures and real stories straight from the command post of the legendary K-2 battalion of the 54th Mechanized Brigade. We talk to the commander of one of the best drone units, Hero of Ukraine Kyrylo Veres, about the real "death factory" for the enemy. 11 072 10

мавік Why is army not given Mavics? The stream is dedicated to an operational topic that has become a scandal today. This is the supply of tactical intelligence assets to the army, namely the main tactical intelligence drones, the main reconnaissance and attack drones of the army - Mavic and Autel drones - Chinese commercial quadcopters, which are the most affordable, balanced for intelligence, and easy to operate. 13 655 18

війна Battling Under a Canopy of Drones "First-person view" drones, which the Ukrainians began experimenting with last year, are now also used by the Russians. The proliferation of these aircraft has rendered all front-line troop movements, especially in vehicles, vulnerable to precision strikes. 7 035 9 Previously in trend: War

рф,дрон,росія,окупанти,fpv How local councils buy drones for military BusinessCensor found out how much and what kind of drones were purchased last year through the Prozorro electronic system. 205 0 Ukrainian Politics

авдіївка Avdiivka is being surrendered due to inaction and impotence of Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff. Since 1 October, the Russian army has been storming Avdiivka for two and a half months. 246 167 125 Previously in trend: War

єгор,фірсов One of main tasks of society is to provide 100 thousand drones monthly An engineering and analytical room somewhere in the General Staff should be the basis. All successful cases of using the latest technologies should be monitored daily along the entire front line, taken as a basis and scaled up. The whole country should work on priority tasks. One of the main tasks of our society should be how to provide ourselves with 100 thousand drones per month. 8 244 60 Previously in trend: War

комаров Philosopher and Armed Forces officer Oleksandr Komarov: "Drone’s role in this war is increasing every month. In 2024, they may become primary means of both reconnaissance and destruction." Last year, our conversation with artillery gunner (and in his civilian life, philosopher, organizer and participant in many projects) Oleksandr Komarov was about his motivation to fight and defend Ukraine, his artilleryman’s credo and his experience of being wounded. 5 498 16 War in Ukraine

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