{"id":7153,"date":"2025-12-19T18:27:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T18:27:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153"},"modified":"2025-12-19T18:27:55","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T18:27:55","slug":"ukraine-war-drone-attacks-html","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153","title":{"rendered":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"g-bk-HzWYGIE5j7m0ZQ\" data-preview-slug=\"bk-HzWYGIE5j7m0ZQ\" data-birdkit-hydrate=\"cc7425fc19f8c439\">\n<p>\t<!--[--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large g-large-margin-after\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->This grainy drone video shows what war looks like now.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Piloting a drone may look like a video game, but these soldiers are in real danger.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->We joined a Ukrainian drone team at the front to understand this work, and how cheap drones have changed combat as we know it.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Drone operators wage their war from the air, but they rarely see the sky.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The Ukrainians in this small unit spend most of their time indoors, in a partially ruined building in the Kherson region, in the south of Ukraine. Units like theirs are all over the front on both sides, which means soldiers can barely advance without being spotted.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->This unit\u2019s commander, pilot, navigator and explosives technician were all born in or near Kherson. Now they are defending it.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"g-subhed  svelte-wg034b\"><!---->THE PREP<!----><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Between strikes, the technician prepares explosives.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->And the soldiers assemble and test drones, so they are ready for when orders come.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper  svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[!--><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The cheap drones used in Ukraine are redefining combat as we know it. Soldiers there can barely advance without being targeted.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->This drone team, part of the 34th marine brigade, works in two rooms. One is cluttered with wires, antennas, zip ties, duct tape and soldering irons to modify the drones. The other holds the explosives. A wood stove provides comfort in cold weather.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->They prepare different explosives for different targets: pellet-packed charges for use against soldiers, and mixtures of TNT and mining explosives for bunkers.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->As the soldiers ready their munitions, a surveillance drone operated by a separate unit is scouting for targets not far away across the Dnipro River in territory held by Russia.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper g-map-ukr svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:60px 0px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:60px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:0px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[!--><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large g-before\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Awaiting orders, the soldiers smoke and chat to pass the time.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Sergeant Serhiy, 46, once fought in the infantry but was wounded when his vehicle hit a mine. After that, he taught himself to pilot drones. He and the other soldiers asked to be identified only by their first names, in keeping with military protocol.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Part of his job is to look out for enemy drones. The team uses a device that intercepts video signals broadcast by Russian drones flying in from the other side of the river. If the Ukrainians see their own position on the screen, they know they are in grave danger.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The detector flickers to life. \u201cIt\u2019s flying near us,\u201d Sergeant Serhiy says of a Russian drone.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->But then the signal blinks out \u2014  Ukrainian jammers have blocked it \u2014  and an explosion is heard some distance away as the drone crashes.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->They are safe.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"g-subhed  svelte-wg034b\"><!---->THE CALL<!----><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The command center orders the team into action over a secure phone call. A Ukrainian surveillance drone has spotted what looks like a Russian bunker.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The navigator receives a description of the target.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The team moves quickly. The explosives technician fastens a plastic bottle containing explosives, ideal for destroying a deep bunker, to the drone.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The battery and other pieces are fitted next. The drone is ready to go.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The drones are built from commercial models. The reliance on low-cost materials was born of necessity earlier in the war, when Ukraine ran low on artillery shells.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The Ukrainian military is the first major force in the world to create a separate branch for unmanned systems. But unmanned is a bit of a misnomer. Tens of thousands of soldiers serve in drone units, even as Ukraine\u2019s army is critically short of personnel.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The Russian bunker is at a position on the front where Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are just a few hundred yards apart.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper round-graphic svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:60px 60px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:60px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:60px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[!--><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Tension builds in the room as the drone is tested. Its propellers whir briefly, confirming it\u2019s ready to fly. It may look barely airworthy, but it is deadly.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Private Oleksandr ties a string between a safety mechanism on the drone and the wooden box from which it will take off. When it flies away, the string will disengage the mechanism \u2014 and the device will be armed.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Sergeant Serhiy and Corporal Oleh, the navigator, take seats in camp chairs before three large computer monitors.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large g-before\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Then comes the riskiest part of the operation. The drone has to be taken outside.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Private Oleksandr must leave the safety of the hideout for just a few seconds to prepare the drone for launch.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The only defense against being spotted by a Russian surveillance drone is speed.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Only about 10 minutes passed between order and launch.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->After takeoff, the drone cannot be recovered. If the target is not found, Sergeant Serhiy will crash it in an open space.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"g-subhed  svelte-wg034b\"><!---->THE FLIGHT<!----><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Because of GPS jamming, the drone team must rely on landmarks like trees and bends in the river to navigate.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->While the craft used for this mission is called a first-person-view drone, flying it is a two-person job.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The pilot uses a remote control console while watching a video feed from the drone\u2019s camera. The navigator watches videos from both the F.P.V. drone and a surveillance drone while receiving instructions from the command center.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Some pilots use virtual reality goggles, which provide a more immersive view. But because they used desktop monitors, Corporal Oleh could guide Sergeant Serhiy by pointing out geographic features on the screens.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large g-before\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->It\u2019s a few miles to the target bunker, across the wetlands of the Dnipro River.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Radio jamming interferes with the signal, but the unit maintains contact. A few minutes after takeoff, Sergeant Serhiy carefully steers the drone into a trench.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The strike is a success. The surveillance drone captures the explosion.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<p><h2 class=\"g-subhed  svelte-wg034b\"><!---->THE AFTERMATH<!----><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-large\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->There is no cheering after a strike.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Some pilots are shaken by what they see. They witness the last moments of soldiers running for their lives or hiding in bushes.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->Sergeant Serhiy says he is undisturbed. \u201cThey attacked my home,\u201d he says of the Russians.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->The Russian and Ukrainian drone teams sometimes taunt or insult each other by adding text to the unencrypted footage transmitted by their drones. Each side knows the other can see the messages.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->\u201cIt\u2019s the only way we communicate,\u201d Sergeant Serhiy says.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->There are typically about 10 failed drone strikes for every successful one. Sometimes, drones lose signal due to radio jamming. Sometimes, they are shot down by Russian soldiers.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!--[--><!--[!--><!----><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-text  svelte-19nwvmi\"><!--[--><!---->We watched the unit take aim at four targets that day. All four were successful. It was a day of precision and efficiency.<!----><!--]--><!----><\/p>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!--]--><!--[--><!----><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper  svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:60px 60px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:60px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:60px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <\/p>\n<div class=\"g-block g-block-margin svelte-rhgw2n g-margin-inline\">\n<div class=\"g-block-width g-max-width-720px svelte-rhgw2n\" style=\"max-width: 720px;\"><!----><!--[!--><!--]--> <\/p>\n<div class=\"g-wrapper_main-content svelte-19s2qxj g-overflow-visible\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <\/p>\n<div class=\"g-wrapper_main_content_slot svelte-19s2qxj\"><!----><!----><!--[--><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-grid g-grid-cols-2 g-grid-length-3 svelte-195avb3\" style=\"--g-columns: 2;--g-gap: 5px\" aria-label=\"media grid\"><!--[--><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-grid_item g-grid_item-0 svelte-195avb3\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-videoplayer-loader\"><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper g-video-inline svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:0px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\" aria-label=\"video\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[--><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-block g-block-margin svelte-rhgw2n\">\n<div class=\"g-block-width g-max-width-330px svelte-rhgw2n\" style=\"max-width: 330px;\"><!----><!----><!----> <!----><!--[--><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-wrapper_meta g-text-align-left svelte-1h881fm\" style=\"--g-caption-display:inline;--g-caption-margin-bottom:0;\"><!--[--><span class=\"g-caption svelte-1h881fm\"><!--[!--><!--]--><!--[--><!---->A tower with surveillance cameras was targeted<!----><!--]--><\/span><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!----> <!----><!----><!----><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-grid_item g-grid_item-1 svelte-195avb3\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-videoplayer-loader\"><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper g-video-inline svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:0px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\" aria-label=\"video\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[--><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-block g-block-margin svelte-rhgw2n\">\n<div class=\"g-block-width g-max-width-330px svelte-rhgw2n\" style=\"max-width: 330px;\"><!----><!----><!----> <!----><!--[--><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-wrapper_meta g-text-align-left svelte-1h881fm\" style=\"--g-caption-display:inline;--g-caption-margin-bottom:0;\"><!--[--><span class=\"g-caption svelte-1h881fm\"><!--[!--><!--]--><!--[--><!---->The bunker was hit a second time<!----><!--]--><\/span><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!----> <!----><!----><!----><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-grid_item g-grid_item-2 svelte-195avb3\"><!--[--><!--[--><!----><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-videoplayer-loader\"><!----><\/p>\n<figure class=\"g-wrapper g-video-inline svelte-19s2qxj g-needs-margin-block\" style=\"--g-wrapper_margin-block:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-top:0px;--g-wrapper_margin-bottom:0px;--g-wrapper_hed-text-wrap:balance\" aria-label=\"video\"><!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!----> <!--[--><\/p>\n<div class=\"g-block g-block-margin svelte-rhgw2n\">\n<div class=\"g-block-width g-max-width-330px svelte-rhgw2n\" style=\"max-width: 330px;\"><!----><!----><!----> <!----><!--[--><\/p>\n<p class=\"g-wrapper_meta g-text-align-left svelte-1h881fm\" style=\"--g-caption-display:inline;--g-caption-margin-bottom:0;\"><!--[--><span class=\"g-caption svelte-1h881fm\"><!--[!--><!--]--><!--[--><!---->A second bunker was struck<!----><!--]--><\/span><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--><\/p>\n<p><!--]--><!----> <!----><!----><!----><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><\/div>\n<p><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<p><!--]--><\/figure>\n<p><!--]--><!----><!----><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!--[!--><!--]--><!----><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!----> <!--[!--><!--]--><!----><\/figure>\n<p><!----><!----><!--]--><!--]--><!----><!----><!----><!--]--> <!--[!--><!--]--><!--]--><\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This grainy drone video shows what war looks like now. Piloting a drone may look like a video game, but these soldiers are in real danger. We joined a Ukrainian&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":875,"featured_media":7154,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This grainy drone video shows what war looks like now. Piloting a drone may look like a video game, but these soldiers are in real danger. We joined a Ukrainian&hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Frisco Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"466\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"451\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@FriscoTimes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@FriscoTimes\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/d59cf00d09ca9d65f7507a46042cc3ca\"},\"headline\":\"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\"},\"wordCount\":1078,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"World\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\",\"name\":\"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg\",\"width\":1050,\"height\":549},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/\",\"name\":\"Frisco Times\",\"description\":\"Your Gateway to San Francisco&#039;s Stories\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Frisco Times\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cropped-\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cropped-\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Frisco Times\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/x.com\/FriscoTimes\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/friscotimes\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/d59cf00d09ca9d65f7507a46042cc3ca\",\"name\":\"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?author=875\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times","og_description":"This grainy drone video shows what war looks like now. Piloting a drone may look like a video game, but these soldiers are in real danger. We joined a Ukrainian&hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153","og_site_name":"Frisco Times","article_published_time":"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00","og_image":[{"width":466,"height":451,"url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@FriscoTimes","twitter_site":"@FriscoTimes","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153"},"author":{"name":"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/d59cf00d09ca9d65f7507a46042cc3ca"},"headline":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine","datePublished":"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153"},"wordCount":1078,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg","articleSection":["World"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153","url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153","name":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine - Frisco Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg","datePublished":"2025-12-19T18:27:55+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2025-11-17-ukraine-drones-index-facebookJumbo-v4.jpg","width":1050,"height":549},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?p=7153#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What It Takes to Pilot a War Drone in Ukraine"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/","name":"Frisco Times","description":"Your Gateway to San Francisco&#039;s Stories","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#organization","name":"Frisco Times","url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cropped-\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/cropped-\u5fae\u4fe1\u622a\u56fe_20240625172131.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Frisco Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/x.com\/FriscoTimes","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/friscotimes\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/d59cf00d09ca9d65f7507a46042cc3ca","name":"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&r=g","caption":"Mauricio Lima, Andrew E. Kramer and Josh Holder"},"url":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/?author=875"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7153"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/875"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7153"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7153\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7154"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friscotimes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}