Reporter Viivi Berghem and photojournalist Benjamin Suomela visited a unit specializing in drones in Donetsk.
DONETSK The use of drones has developed during the Russian war of aggression. Ukraine is considered to be a trendsetter in drone warfare.
Spokesman of the Ukrainian army Elshadin according to that, Russia is also ahead of its time in the use of drones.
Drones can be used to carry out detailed attacks and destroy, for example, weapon systems worth millions of euros.
Valentine’s The presented FPV drone costs a few thousand euros. Using drones is profitable, and failing a mission isn’t a huge financial blow.
– Of course, I always try to fly my drone back and repair it if necessary, as well as modify it to suit the task at hand, says Valentin.
The availability of drones has improved on the civilian side and prices have decreased. Despite this, getting spare parts, for example, is challenging.
– China is a major drone producer. As is known, China’s relationship with Ukraine is tense, adds Elšad, the spokesman for the 107th battalion of the separate regional defense brigade in Mariupol.
From photographer to drone fighter
Valentin made the decision to join the army when the Russians invaded his hometown of Kiev. Before the war, he worked as a photographer in the film industry.
– The skills of my previous profession are now useful. I built this FPV drone to destroy tanks. The drone can carry a heavier load, in this case explosives, says Valentin.
In Valentin’s unit, drones have succeeded in destroying, for example, the BUK anti-aircraft system. Drones are also used for more modest tasks, such as destroying regular trucks and other logistics vehicles.
– Weapon systems cost millions, but I can use my few thousand drones again and again, says Valentin.
Valentin usually works in a group of 2–3 people. One controls the drone and the other reads the map. If there is a third soldier, his task is to take care of the message traffic.
Watch the video how a Ukrainian soldier flies a drone in the Zaporizhia region on October 3, 2023.
Drones are also used a lot for intelligence tasks.
– We don’t want to throw our soldiers into a meat grinder, we use modern technology to save lives.
Elšad, the spokesman for battalion 107 of Mariupol’s separate regional defense brigade, says.
The soldiers of Battalion 107 of the separate regional defense brigade of Mariupol appear in the story only with their first names to guarantee their safety.