

The Russians have a much larger and more powerful air force, with its fighter jets outnumbering those in Ukraine by an estimated margin of 10-to-1.īut so far, the Ukrainians have mostly neutralized this threat in two key ways.įirst, Ukraine's air defenses shot down so many Russian fighter jets in the early stages of the war that Russia rarely sends them into Ukrainian air space anymore. Ukraine turns to drones to counter Russian air power He spoke to a gathering that included Ukrainian drone makers and private groups that are training Ukrainian troops how to become drone pilots. Ukraine invasion - explained A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war "In order to win in this fast-paced technological war, the government needs to think and act as a technology company, to be agile, to make fast decisions and to move faster," Fedorov said. The overall effort is led by the country's 32-year-old deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. It has enlisted actor Mark Hamill, of Star Wars fame, as a spokesman, as well as other celebrity ambassadors.

And that's exactly the vibe Ukraine's Army of Drones is trying to create.Ī combined effort of the military, the government and private groups, the Army of Drones has turned into a substantial military force. In the sprawling farmland south of Kyiv, where the sunflowers are just beginning to sprout, Ukraine's drone community gathered to show how the military is upgrading what's already one of its most effective weapons of the war.ĭrones are buzzing in every direction on a sultry summer's day, as if someone poked a hornet's nest. Federov leads the Army of Drones project that has allowed Ukraine to make wide use of drones, for reconnaissance and attacks, offsetting the huge advantage Russia has with its traditional air force. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Federov speaks to drone makers and drone pilot trainers at an event south of Kyiv on June 15.
