An elite Ukrainian drone unit founded by volunteer IT experts is becoming a crucial part of the resistance against invading Russian forces.
Aerorozvidka builds and modifies off-the-shelf consumer drones to work in a military context and drop bombs on Russian vehicles under the cover of night.
Mykhailo, a board member and head of communications for Aerorozvidka, told Insider that they are all soldiers, but their roots are different.
Some of us have PhDs. Some have masters. Some are from other industries. The main thing that makes us unite is our desire to win the war.
The unit was founded in response to the Russian actions in the Donbas region.
The volunteers designed machines to support the Ukrainian army.
Volodymyr Kochetkov-Sukach, the founder of Aerorozvidka and father of four, was killed in action in 2015.
The invasion began months ago. Mykhailo said that it began in the year 2014).
Aerorozvidka is a non-governmental organization that supports the military of Ukraine.
The unit uses a range of drones, many of which are commonly available store-bought drones that they modify and militarize, including Chinese DJI drones and Autel drones, French Parrot drones, and more.
The R-18 is the most prized of drones. It can fly for 40 minutes and can drop bombs.
Anti-tank missiles such as NLAWs and New generation Light Anti-tank Weapons cost $40,000 per unit, but the R-18 costs $20,000 to build.
Unless they suffer damage by Russian fire, the R-18s can be used repeatedly.
Mykhailo said the team has drones flying for 20 hours a day.
The Delta team, the drone team, and the cybersecurity team are part of Aerorozvidka.
Delta is a NATO-supported web-based situation awareness system that creates a map of Russian targets using information from various sources, including agents on land and the drone team.
Even if there is an internet or power outage, the unit uses the Starlink satellite system.
The unit has destroyed hundreds of Russian vehicles, Mykhailo said.
Aerorozvidka usually carries out missions under cover of night because their drones give them an advantage. The drones had night-vision goggles and were able to attack the Russians with their quad bikes.
The 40-mile Russian convoy was halted by its most significant victory.
The most valuable vehicle in a convoy is usually targeted by the unit.
The team blocked the convoy and demoralized the Russian forces by targeting vehicles at the head of the convoy.
Aerorozvidka is expanding operations across the country, with an anticipated Russian offensive in the east and south of the country.
Mykhailo could not say how many people are in the organization, but he did say that there are many.
Sometimes the videos of their missions are set to the backdrop of music by a Ukrainian rap artist.
—🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 30, 2022
Funding and supply issues are significant challenges facing Aerorozvidka. It relies on crowd funding and donations to get the components it needs.
US and Canada-made parts are not allowed to be sent to Ukraine.
Russian forces are adapting and working out how to shoot down Aerorozvidka's drones, making the need for extra parts and funding crucial.
Aerorozvidka is confident that the unit will continue to torment the Russian invaders despite the increase in counter-attacks.
I think it is logical to say they are adapting. Mykhailo said that they are still Russians.
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