Drones for the Ukrainian Armed Forces: why they are needed and how to help

Drone as a symbol of modern warfare

Modern warfare is a confrontation between not only armies but also technologies. What seemed to be a tool for surveillance or filming only a few years ago has now become one of the most important means of warfare. Drones are no longer just present on the battlefield - they determine its outcome.
The sky has become a zone of decisive events: the eyes of our defenders work there, and these eyes are drones. Drones have changed the very understanding of the frontline. This is not about science fiction - it’s about life here and now, where technology is often faster than artillery, more accurate than missiles, and cheaper than armored vehicles. If earlier the main battles were fought on the ground, now decisions are made from the air. Now, victory in battles often depends not on the amount of ammunition, but on how far and accurately a drone can see.
Drones are a new tactical advantagefor the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is impossible to imagine an effective defense or offense without them. Each drone in the air means additional chances to save lives, destroy the enemy and hold positions. And this is not an exaggeration. Today we explain why the Armed Forces’ drones are critical to victory, how the fundraising for drones works, what models the frontline needs, and how your support can make a difference.


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How drones have changed the course of the war

From the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian military faced a total advantage of the enemy in terms of equipment and manpower. In this situation, it became clear that the only way to survive and win was through flexibility, out-of-the-box thinking, and technological superiority. It was drones that gave us this chance.
Reconnaissance copters allow you to see the enemy where you would have had to risk people before. FPV drones provide high precision strikes, sometimes destroying armored vehicles that cost hundreds of times more. Kamikaze drones inflict pinpoint damage behind enemy lines, and specialized drones are now capable of even dropping ammunition with an accuracy of up to a meter. This provides unique opportunities that seemed unrealistic a few years ago.
Even small quadcopters purchased with volunteer funds have become tools that have saved hundreds of lives and helped liberate dozens of settlements. Drones not only see, they analyze, record, and provide real-time data, becoming the eyes of commanders and a means of control on the battlefield.
Our approach to training is focused on efficiency. It is not about equipment for the sake of equipment. It is about weapons that actually work.

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Why drones are not a luxury but a necessity right now

In 2022, drones were a rare bonus. In 2023, they were an integral part of combat strategy. In 2025, they will be the No. 1 weapon in many units. Technology has changed warfare so much that armies without drones simply don’t stand a chance. The ongoing battles in eastern and southern Ukraine prove this every day: those who see first win.
Unfortunately, the occupier is adapting: it uses electronic warfare, launches drones in response, and creates its own UAV production. This means only one thing - we need more, better, smarter. And most importantly, faster.
Drones are needed all the time, every day, every hour. Their "lifespan" at the front is extremely short - usually a few flights, after which the drone is either lost or becomes inoperable due to damage or electronic jamming. With the front line constantly changing, it is important to have a reserve, not to prepare "for later."
This means that even if one brigade is fully equipped today, it will need to be updated again in a week. Drones have become a consumable resource that needs to be continuously replenished. And that is why the drone fee cannot be a one-time event. This is a constant front of work that relies on people who care. This is a marathon of support, not a sprint.

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What a real request from the front looks like

Imagine a unit performing a combat mission in the southern direction. The enemy is actively maneuvering, using artillery and armored vehicles. Without eyes in the sky, the Ukrainian military cannot accurately determine where the shelling is coming from. Time is being lost, and the threat to life is growing. But a drone in the air, even within a couple of minutes, allows them to establish the coordinates, transmit them to the artillery and get the soldiers out of the risk zone.
Such stories happen not once a month, but every day. There is a need for drones in every unit, regardless of the direction. Where the device works properly, there are fewer losses. Where it does not, there are more risks and less maneuverability.
And in each of these stories, the role of those who donated funds is tangible. A drone does not appear at the front out of thin air. It is bought, customized, transferred and accompanied. Each contribution is a part of a large interaction between the rear and combat units.
The successful completion of combat missions often depends on one thing - whether a drone is available when it is needed. Requests come in all the time: sometimes in the critical hours of the offensive, sometimes during the defense. These are not bureaucratic needs, but urgent requests. We receive messages directly from the front line: "We need a drone, otherwise we will lose our position", "We need a replacement - yesterday’s one did not return from the flight". And each of these messages is a call to action.


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What drones the Armed Forces of Ukraine needs right now

Our charitable foundation focuses on requests that come directly from the units. We don’t buy everything in a row - we work with specific data, check the need, and agree on models.
FPV drones with an enhanced navigation system adapted to the conditions of the EW are in the greatest demand now. Their cost ranges from $400 to $1,000 depending on the configuration. They can carry a small charge and accurately hit enemy vehicles or trenches.
Reconnaissance d rones, capable of flying long distances and transmitting real-time video, allow the military to act accurately and in a timely manner. Their price starts at $1500. These are the "eyes" of the commander on the front line.
Medium-range drones are another critical component. They can operate at a range of 10-15 km, are equipped with thermal imaging optics and modernized antennas. They are used in night reconnaissance, in detecting targets in forests, landings, and on difficult terrain.
It is also important to have spare batteries, components, control stations, and signal encryption equipment. Without these, no device will function properly. A drone is not just the body itself, but a whole kit.


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How the collection works: transparent, targeted, efficient

At the INTERNATIONAL UNITY MOVEMENT Foundation, we conduct drone fundraising on the principles of transparency and responsibility. Each donation is recorded in an open system. Each device that is transferred to the military has its own route - from purchase to delivery.
We report not only on the fact of the transfer, but also on the specific result: photos, videos, letters of gratitude. We also keep in touch with the units. When a drone is lost, we receive a notification. When a replacement is needed, we launch a new collection.
This is not a one-time transfer - it is a long-term process of cooperation with specific units. This approach allows us to respond quickly and allocate resources where they are needed most.
We believe that a donation is not just a financial transaction. It is an act of trust. That is why we respond to it with the utmost honesty. We don’t promise miracles - only efficiency, focus on real needs, timeliness, control and human touch. It is thanks to this approach that we are able to provide the Armed Forces with drones when they need them most.


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How to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine with drones - simple and effective

The most important thing is to act. It is through action that we create resistance.
Help is not always about large sums of money. Successful fundraisers consist of thousands of small contributions. And it is they who form a big result. Many drone fundraisers started with a few hundred hryvnias, but thanks to systematic participation, they became a reality.
The easiest way is to join an existing fundraiser for the Armed Forces. By transferring funds, you immediately become part of the chain that leads to the flight of a new drone over the battlefield. You can also initiate your own micro-fundraising, invite friends to support you, or organize a charity initiative at your school, company, or community.
If you have access to high-quality equipment, you can donate it directly through our foundation. We will check its suitability and, if everything meets the standards, transfer it to a place where it will be really useful.
The most important thing is to act! Because it is through action that we create resistance. In this struggle, even the smallest help turns into a real contribution to the common victory.


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Your contribution is not a statistic, but a real result

Raising money for a drone is not just a process. It is a story in which everyone plays a role. Each donation means one minute of flight, one chance to detect the enemy, one step towards victory. The soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces need our support every day, because the frontline does not stop. Therefore, the question of how to help the Armed Forces does not require complicated answers. It starts here and now.


Supporting the drone fundraiser means supporting lives

The war continues. But thanks to our joint efforts, we are bringing the moment closer every day when drones will be flying not for reconnaissance, but for filming celebrations. It is you who can bring this day closer. Support the drone fundraiser and contribute to a future without war.
Every day a new drone takes to the skies is a day when a Ukrainian soldier gets a chance to see, survive and win. This chance is in your hands.

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