"Inside this old skydiving plane, a crew of Ukrainian volunteers is hunting down Russian drones. Russia is sending thousands of its one-way attack drones into Ukraine every month. Many are shot down, but the country's air defenses can't stop them all."
"On the side of the fuselage here, they've mounted this American-made machine gun that's capable of firing up to 3,000 rounds per minute, or 50 rounds per second. And they're picking off drones one by one."
"For nine months, Valerey Slipkan has lived on this remote airstrip waiting for missions. After losing his son in the first days of the full-scale invasion, he moved into a trailer on the landing field, and began transforming this old skydiving plane for war."
"Drones aren't just the most lethal weapon in Ukraine, they are redefining modern warfare."
Ukrainian volunteers are combating Russian drones using an old skydiving plane equipped with a high-capacity machine gun. Despite Ukraine's air defenses, many drones evade interception. The volunteers, led by Valerey Slipkan, have transformed the plane for drone hunting, with ammunition costs significantly lower than the drones themselves. Since mid-2025, civilians have been encouraged to engage in drone combat, fostering teamwork and resilience among the crew. This approach reflects a shift in modern warfare dynamics, emphasizing the increasing threat posed by drones.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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