Ukraine’s Drone Warriors: Small Unit Makes Big Impact On The Battlefield

In the midst of Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, a small but crucial unit of drone operators has emerged as a nice improvment on the battlefield. A team of Ukrainian soldiers, part of the 34th marine brigade, has been working tirelessly in a partially ruined building in the Kherson region, southern Ukraine, to master the art of piloting war drones.

These soldiers, born in or near Kherson, are now defending their homeland against Russian forces. The unit’s commander, pilot, navigator, and explosives technician work in tandem, operating out of two rooms. One room is a makeshift workshop, cluttered with wires, antennas, zip ties, duct tape, and soldering irons, where they modify and customize their drones for specific missions.

The other room serves as an explosives lab, where they prepare different types of munitions for various targets. Sergeant Serhiy, a 46-year-old veteran who previously fought in the infantry, has become an expert drone pilot. After being wounded in a mine explosion, he taught himself to pilot drones, recognizing the critical role they play in modern warfare.

Alongside his teammates, he operates a surveillance drone, scouting for targets across the Dnipro River in Russian-held territory.