“It all happened because of the work of 30 people,” Honchar said.
Ironically, the unit relies on crowdfunding and donations. And it is having a problem getting much-needed components like modems and thermal imaging cameras. Most of these parts are made in the US and Canada. And they are still subjected to export controls that forbid them from being sent to Ukraine.
During the war supporters have been donating drone parts and other equipment. Now the drone unit has 3D printers and other supplies to help build and repair drones damaged by Russian small-arms fire.
100 US-made Switchblade Tactical drones are supposed to be sent to Ukraine from the $800 million in military aid promised by President Joe Biden. This would be a game-changer. But the US is moving slower than the Europeans in getting military equipment directly in the hands of Ukraine fighters.
Aerorozvidka dates back to 2014
The group was formed by tech-savvy, university-educated Ukrainians who were fighting the 2014 Russian separatists in Crimea and the Donbas region. Its leader, investment banker Volodymyr Kochetkov-Sukach, was killed in action in 2015.
