Foreign volunteers retrain as drone operators as Ukraine’s battlefield changes
Some of the Western volunteers who came to Ukraine to fight on the ground are now learning to operate FPV drones as unmanned systems take on a growing role in combat.
Four foreign volunteers serving in the Babai rifle battalion have retrained to operate FPV drones in Ternopil Oblast, western Ukraine. Suspilne reported on the establishment of a dedicated drone team on September 22. As Ukraine's military increasingly relies on unmanned systems for roles traditionally performed by soldiers, an adviser to the commander of Ukraine's Third Army Corps announced plans to replace approximately 30% of its infantry with ground robotic systems by the end of 2026.
The shift towards using unmanned systems on the battlefield extends beyond FPV aircraft, encompassing various tools such as mortars. British volunteer Harry, who has been fighting in Ukraine since March 2022, assembled the FPV drone team, which includes Fuzzy, a former British Army infantryman and counterterrorism specialist, and Rupert, a British soldier with no prior military experience.
Rupert's role is technical, involving the setup of antennas and pre-flight checks for the drones. The team's composition reflects the diverse backgrounds of the volunteers, each adapting to the ever-changing nature of the conflict. Harry, the team leader, aims to settle permanently in Ukraine and establish a business, viewing Ukraine as his future home.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
