Minister: Units supported by 'Army of Drones' hit record number of Russian artillery over last week

Ukrainian drone units supported by the "Army of Drones" initiative destroyed or damaged 69 towed artillery pieces and 17 self-propelled howitzers from Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported.

This is a record number of Russian artillery struck by drones procured through the initiative over one week, according to Fedorov.

"More damaged artillery means fewer shells (fired at) our military positions and front-line cities," he said on Telegram.

Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

At this stage of a war that could last years more, both Ukraine and Russia are getting serious with their drone game: ramping up production while always looking to come up with new innovations.

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

In addition to artillery, the drones hit a total of 220 pieces of Russian military equipment in the past week, including 33 tanks, 41 trucks, and 37 armored fighting vehicles.

Ukraine's "Army of Drones" is a joint initiative of the Digital Transformation Ministry and the governmental UNITED24 fundraising platform. It was launched in July 2022, with Star Wars actor Mark Hamill as the initiative's ambassador.

In addition to procuring drones, the initiative is tasked with repairing drones and training soldiers on how to operate them.

War from above: A day with drone unit defending Ukraine’s south

Editor’s Note: The Ukrainian soldiers featured in this article don’t share their family names for security reasons. ZAPORIZHZHIA OBLAST – A couple of running gray silhouettes appear on the phone screen of drone unit commander Ashot, call sign “Doc.” “They saw the drone, see?” he pointed at them.…

The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Query