Drone-Based Air Defense relies on FPV drones equipped with payloads. When enemy UAVs appear on radar, operators deploy FPV drones to intercept and neutralize them.

These are often reconnaissance drones capable of penetrating over 100 km (62 miles) into Ukraine’s territory. They gather intelligence and guide missiles, Shaheds (Iranian-made kamikaze drones), and other suicide drones toward critical infrastructure and other key targets.

Unfortunately, these reconnaissance drones fly at high altitudes, making them unreachable by mobile groups armed with machine guns, which are used to down Shaheds. Surface-to-air missile systems, like Patriot, IRIS-T, and S-300, could take them down, but these systems have a limited and costly supply of missiles. Using them on reconnaissance drones would reduce available resources to intercept cruise and ballistic missiles, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. Consequently, enemy drones can often loiter for hours, gathering intelligence over Ukraine.

The government, even in wartime, is a large bureaucratic institution. While there are benefits, this structure can slow the quick changes that are sometimes urgently needed. Throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, volunteers have pioneered initiatives that the government later adopted. Direct communication with the military and the ability to implement creative solutions make volunteers essential to Ukraine’s survival.