NORTHWEST UKRAINE The trainer digs the drone out of his bag, unfolds the folded propellers and removes the lens cover.
– For us, this is a training drone, although some still use this model on the front as well, says the trainer.
The trainee opens the remote control and connects his cell phone to its handles. The drone obeys small joysticks, which are like the controls of a game console.
The drone quickly rises from the trainer’s hands into the gray sky. This is also how it goes on the front, where drones are used to photograph the positions of Russian soldiers.
The trainer and the trainee belong to the Ukrainian Regional Defense Forces in Northwestern Ukraine. At the request of the soldiers, does not disclose the location of the training site in more detail.
A Finn is teaching next to me Tomi Hiltunenwho came to Ukraine a year ago as a volunteer as a weapons trainer.
A few other Finns work with Hiltunen, and more are coming.
– Twenty interested trainers have already signed up, Hiltunen says.
They also teach the use of drones to Ukrainian soldiers. According to Hiltunen, the trainers are active reservists. Military training is organized with the support of volunteers Lion Defense Team ry (you will switch to another service)which also supplies the armed forces of Ukraine with medical and other material aid.
According to Hiltunen, the need for training is now great because the war is fierce and Ukraine has to recruit new soldiers in droves to replace those who have fallen.
– The other party will not give up very easily. Yes, they make a bigger gear stand out, says Hiltunen.
The basics of using a gun are trained in a day
Hiltunen started last March by teaching how to use an assault rifle to civilians in the western city of Lviv, but has since expanded the training and moved to another part of Ukraine.
The Finns working with Hiltusen have training cooperation especially with the Ukrainian National Guard and the Border Guard, but also with the regional defense forces.
Hiltunen estimates that around 4,000 people have already participated in their training. Both soldiers and civilians receive at least a one-day crash course in weapon use and combat first aid.
Those who can participate on several days will be introduced a little better – for example, in the area built for the battle.
A large building with an already apocalyptic atmosphere is used for that purpose. The rainwater has run down through the roof and pooled on the floor. Structures and chattels are scattered, rubble and crushed cement are lying everywhere.
Like a pale idea of what it looks like in the territories destroyed by Russia.
The framework is in order and the enthusiasm of the trainees has impressed Hiltus.
– It’s been great to see how actively the gang participates in the training, and the local hospitality has been incredible, says Hiltunen.
It also increases the trainers’ motivation.
– I feel and see here that the work has been important, says Hiltunen.
Chinese drones must be tuned for frontline use
Training can be done very well with simple equipment. A DJI Mavic 2-type drone, priced at well over a thousand euros, flies above the trees and films the branches at the edge of the field.
There’s one problem with the drone: it’s Chinese. China would not want Ukraine to use cheap recreational drones in a war against Russia.
– China is not on our side, says the trainer, who uses the fighting name “Japanese”. He is actually Ukrainian, but he has gained work experience in East Asia as well.
According to the trainer, Ukraine avoids possible problems with DJI by not updating the drones’ software. In addition, the Ukrainians themselves change the software so that the drones get the most out of their power.
– For example, we can turn off these lights, because normally the drone is lit up like a Christmas tree, so the enemy would see it, the trainer says.
Although the Ukrainians have improved the Mavic 2 drones in many ways, they have been left mostly for training use. On the front, the most common is the Mavic 3 model, which is not as sensitive to Russian radio interference.
– If the enemy blocks the propagation of radio signals, that drone can still fly back, the trainer says.
In addition to reconnaissance, drones are also suitable for dropping bombs directly into the battle trenches of Russian soldiers. The trainer shows the 3D printed plastic rudders, which help the bombs to steer properly.
Hiltunen: Finns should directly support the Ukrainian army or organizations
Inside the building, Hiltunen presents places where Ukrainian soldiers have been trained. When the war has already been going on for a year, training is more organized than before.
In Hiltunen’s opinion, fortunately there is no visible war weariness in Ukraine. Ukrainians understand that the war is about the existence of the whole country.
It can be different in Finland, further from the front.
– I hope it is not forgotten that the war is still going on. It will continue for a long time, and the situation can get much worse, says Hiltunen.
In Hiltunen’s opinion, the media’s picture of Ukraine’s situation in the war is “positively colored”. Prolonging the war is in Russia’s interest, and according to Hiltunen, Ukraine would now need a lot of both weapons and training aid.
Therefore, in Hiltunen’s opinion, Finns should do everything that can be done for Ukraine.
– The best way for Finns to help is to give money directly to the Ukrainian armed forces or to give money to various volunteer organizations that deliver goods directly, Hiltunen advises.
Commander: Every granny can take part in the war
Foreign training aid is very welcome for Ukraine, and its increase has been demanded by, among others, a high-ranking Finnish officer interviewed by and a British expert who has been advising Ukraine on the reforms of the armed forces for years.
– It is precisely thanks to foreign aid that we are able to equip almost all people, says the Ukrainian battalion commander who goes by the name Mustaparta.
He is also following the drone training of the regional defense forces.
According to Mustaparra, Ukraine doesn’t need foreign soldiers, but it does need a lot of weapons and training.
– We act so that almost every person, every family and every grandmother takes part in this war, Mustaparta says.
According to Mustaparra, the help of European countries is priceless and touching, because now the Ukrainians know that they are not alone in fending off the Russian attack.
– It lifts our spirits when we know that our neighbors are helping us to defend ourselves. In practice, we are the defense wall of the whole of Europe, Mustaparta says.
Soon the training will be over and the drones will be packed in bags. Now more and more Ukrainians know how drones can be used for intelligence.