Dronefield

The article describes how Ukraine has built a massive grassroots drone-industry powering its war effort: from small 3D-printing workshops to full-fledged drone factories. For example, a volunteer initiative called DrukArmy — run by an employee of telecom firm Kyivstar — transforms 3D-printed parts into battlefield devices such as mines. On the front, elite drone units such as Ptaki Madziara and Kraken 1654 operate small, highly skilled 2–3-person teams. Their drones, along with FPV systems, AI-assisted targeting, and electronic-warfare tools, now account for roughly 80% of battlefield losses. This has expanded combat zones into a 20–25 km “grey zone,” rather than a clearly defined front line. Training happens in institutions like KillHouse Academy in Kyiv, where new operators learn piloting, reconnaissance, and combat drone tactics — often under constantly changing technological and battlefield conditions. Meanwhile volunteer-based networks like Social Drone coordinate thousands ...