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☆ Russia 'knew where we were going to attack,' Zelenskyy says in reflection on why Ukraine's big counteroffensive stumbled
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Chris Panella | Paul Ronzheimer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Russia knew where Ukraine's big counteroffensive last year was going to attack, Zelenskyy said Tuesday. Ukraine has said its 2023 counteroffensive plans were leaked to Russia before the operation began. Along with Russia learning about Ukraine's plans ahead of time, Zelenskyy said some of the issues were Ukraine's fault. AdvertisementOne of Ukraine's sea drones, funded by the large-scale volunteer collection platform UNITED24. Ukraine's drones have also been upgraded over time, some carrying larger, more powerful warheads to do more damage.

Persons: Zelenskyy, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelensky, Axel Springer, Ukraine's, Kyrylo Budanov, could've, Muhammed Enes Yildirim, Ukraine couldn't, Ukraine Zelenskyy, That's, Vladimir Putin, It's Organizations: Service, CBC News, Anadolu Agency, Getty, NATO, Security Service, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Azov, Donetsk, Dnipro, Kyiv, Kerch, Crimea

☆ Ukraine ‘will lose the war’ if US aid not approved, says Zelensky
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Christian Edwards | Maria Kostenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Ukraine “will lose the war” if the United States Congress does not approve military aid to help it resist Russia’s invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. “It’s important to specifically address the Congress: if the Congress doesn’t help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war,” Zelensky said Sunday during a video meeting of the Ukrainian fund-raising group UNITED24. “If Ukraine loses this war, other countries will be attacked. Zelensky previously told CNN that “millions” could die in Ukraine’s war with Russia if US lawmakers do not approve the aid package. There’s certain weapons systems, certain logistical support which the European countries simply cannot provide to Ukraine” such as air defense systems, he said.

Persons: Ukraine “, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, ” Zelensky, ”, Mike Johnson, Zelensky, Ukraine’s, Russia –, –, Anton Shtuka, Franz, Stefan Gady, Gady, UNITED24 ’ Organizations: CNN, United States Congress, Senate, Getty, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Ukraine, “, Kyiv, Russia, Israel, Moscow, Avdiivka, Kharkiv, AFP, ”, Washington, Ukrainian

☆ Video appears to show a Ukrainian unmanned ground drone rolling up to the edge of a Russian trench and dropping explosives
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new video appears to show a Ukrainian ground drone detonating near a Russian trench. AdvertisementNew footage from Ukraine appears to show Ukrainian forces using an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to strike a Russian trench. A new fleet of UGVsThe Russia-Ukraine war has been marked by the frequent use of aerial drone warfare, but ground drones are a more recent phenomenon. On Wednesday, Ukraine's minister of digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, shared footage on X of one such drone — the Ratel S, a remotely operated ground drone designed to carry bombs and anti-tank mines. Many of the ground drones are being developed by Ukraine's Brave1 , a government platform that brings together innovative companies to boost Ukraine's war effort.

Persons: —, sM7KdRmdJX, Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov, zzW4oxfRfT — Mykhailo Fedorov, Samuel Bendett, Bendett, it's, Ukraine's Brave1, Forbes, Brave1, Nataliya Kushnerska Organizations: Service, Ukraine's 63rd Mechanized Brigade, imi, Center for Naval Analyses Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russian, Russia

☆ Ukraine wants interceptor drones to take out unmanned surveillance aircraft and blind the Russians without wasting missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Chris Panella | Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine is looking to build interceptor drones to hunt and take down Russian UAVs. On Wednesday, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's minister of digital transformation, announced that the country wants to begin building interceptor drones to take down Russia's surveillance UAVs, specifically Orlan, SuperCam, and ZALA drones. The interceptor drones, as Fedorov suggested, are a cheaper option for shooting down drones and UAVs so that Ukraine can preserve its air defenses. The Shahed Hunter system, an anti-drone defense system bought with funds from the UNITED24 crowdfunding platform, releases interceptor drones with heavy-duty nets to capture incoming enemy drones. These anti-drone systems can: detect enemy drones, jam GPS signals, intercept devices in the sky.

Persons: —, Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov, Evgeniy, Hunter Organizations: Service, NATO, AP Locations: Ukraine, Brave1, Ukrainian, Russian, Russia, Kyiv, Kyiv region, AP Ukraine, Avdiivka

☆ Going after Russian warships feels like 'hunting prey,' says a Ukrainian general overseeing exploding naval drone operations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine has relied heavily on its arsenal of naval drones to cause headaches for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. AdvertisementFor at least one Ukrainian general, going after Russian warships with exploding drone boats is more than just hitting the enemy. To compensate for this deficiency, the country sought to develop what it calls "the world's first fleet of naval drones." These deadly systems were first introduced in 2022 as Kyiv looked to weaken Moscow's grip on the Black Sea. "We analyzed how best to get to the Russian fleet; what means and methods would be appropriate.

Persons: —, Ivan Lukashevych, Lukashevych, we'd, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: Service, Security Service, Ukraine's Ministry of Digital, Defense Intelligence, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service, AP, Black Locations: Ukraine, Brig, Kyiv, Moscow, Sevastopol, Crimean, Novorossiysk, Russia

☆ A Ukraine pilot said flying 'awesome' F-16s is like upgrading from an old Nokia to an iPhone
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Cameron Manley | Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Ukrainian pilot training to fly F-16s said it was like upgrading from a Nokia to an iPhone. He said the jets were "awesome" but had more complex electronic systems than Soviet-made jets. The first F-16 fighter jets should be delivered to Ukraine this summer, according to Denmark. AdvertisementA Ukrainian pilot said that transitioning from old Soviet-made planes to Western F-16s is like upgrading from a Nokia to an iPhone. The pilot, with the call sign "Moonfish," is one of six being trained to use the fighter jets at the Skrysdtrup base in Denmark.

Persons: — Organizations: Nokia, Service, Business Locations: Ukrainian, Soviet, Ukraine, Denmark

NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Sanders started his company, Silent Donor, based on his own experience giving money to charities. Christie Herrera, president and CEO of the conservative advocacy nonprofit Philanthropy Roundtable, has said the fight for donor privacy is the biggest challenge her organization currently faces, “I think it’s time for philanthropy to step up and start talking about these donor privacy issues,” she said. Silent Donor also sets a deadline of 30 days to move a donation through its system and into a charity. Sanders said nonprofits should listen more to donors who seek more privacy for their gifts. He said that recent decline in philanthropic donations may be related to donors not wanting others to know about their financial decisions.

Persons: — Tim Sanders, ”, ” Sanders, –, Malala Yousafzai, Christie Herrera, “, ” Chuck Collins, Collins, —, Donor's Sanders, Sanders, ” Collins Organizations: Internal Revenue Service, Peace, IRS, Republican, Institute for Policy Studies, DAF, U.S . House, U.S . Senate, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: Ukrainian, United States

☆ Ukraine says its Vampire bomber drone is such a nightmare for Russian troops they call it the 'Baba Yaga,' a mythical evil creature
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine says its Vampire bomber drone is a nightmare for Russian troops and earned it an evil nickname. Vampire drones are harder to spot and fast and can drop bombs on unsuspecting targets in the dead of night. AdvertisementUkraine says its Vampire bomber drones are becoming such a nightmare for Russia that they've earned a menacing nickname among its troops. Part of the appeal of the Vampire, Ukraine says, is its thermal imaging, which allows operators to identify and target enemies at nighttime. Fedorov had previously shared footage in June of what he said was a Vampire drone delivering humanitarian aid to people on the Russian-occupied southern bank of the Dnipro River.

Persons: —, they've, Baba, Wojciech Grzedzinski, Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov Organizations: Service, Ministry of Defense, —, Mechanized Brigade, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Innovation, Science, Technology Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Ukrainian, Donetsk Oblast, Bakhmut, Dnipro

☆ Ukraine's high-profile Azov Brigade, many of them former PoWs, has been rebuilt and is fighting in the forests of Donetsk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine's battle-hardened Azov Brigade has been rebuilt and is fighting in the forests of Donetsk. Videos show them fighting Russian positions from their trenches in the Serebryansky forest. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine says that its battle-hardened Azov Brigade has returned to the front lines in Ukraine and is fighting in the woods of Donetsk. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Azov Brigade was formed as the Azov Battalion in 2014, composed of volunteers who came together to fight pro-Russian forces in the war in Donbas. Azov claims in the video that about 700 of their fighters have now been in captivity for over 500 days.

Persons: —, United24, Dmytro Kozatsky, Mariupol, you've Organizations: Azov Brigade, Service, Azov Battalion, Azov Special Forces Regiment, Getty, Azov, Battalion, Marlboro Locations: Donetsk, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, Kreminna, Donbas, Mariupol, Azov

☆ Ukraine showed off experimental new land drones, including one mounted with a turret
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ukraine shared images of experimental land drones it has been testing. The photos showed one mounted with a camera and what might be a turret and a feed for ammunition:Experimental drones being tested by Ukrainian forces, seen in a photo shared on August 28, 2023 by state-affiliated media. Facebook/@Михайло ФедоровIn a post, Fedorov said that 25 drones had been tested, and shared images of four different types. Most visible have been the aerial drones which both Ukraine and Russia uses for reconnaissance, targeting, to drop bombs, and also exploding drones which detonate on impact. Ukraine has made great strides in the drone market in recent months, with companies expanding their operations to land robots, the platform added.

Persons: Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov, Brave1, United24, Михайло Федоров Organizations: Service, Russia, Ukrainian, Facebook, Pentagon's, Innovation Unit Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Ukrainian, Russia, Crimea

☆ How the War in Ukraine Turned Tennis Into a Battlefield
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Michael Steinberger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

She asked about the situation in Ukraine and how much money Svitolina had raised for relief efforts. The Russians had just ramped up their attacks on Odesa, and I asked Svitolina about her grandmother. “I was super happy that kids in Ukraine could watch and get inspired,” she said. The foundation was sponsoring several junior tennis tournaments in Ukraine later in the summer. “I cannot even imagine how hard it is for the kids,” Svitolina said.

Persons: Elina, ”, ” Kachanov, Svitolina, Venus Williams, Billie Jean King, ” King, King, Dasha Kasatkina, Alex Karp, Margaret Brennan, ” Svitolina, “, Anna Popovchenko Organizations: All England Club, Wimbledon, Court, Palantir Technologies, Atlantic Council, CBS Locations: Kharkiv, Britain, London, Ukraine, Washington, Ukrainian, Kyiv

Multiple sea drone attack carried out on Russian assets in Crimea and the Black Sea have grabbed recent headlines, with dramatic videos posted online. These sea drones are targeting the Russians in the Black Sea. “The speed of these drones exceeds any sea craft in the Black Sea region at the moment.”The speed and difficulties in detection may go some way to explaining how the drones that attacked the bridge traveled undetected in the dark across the Black Sea to the bridge. Especially since the Admiral Makarov was newly installed as the Black Sea flagship after the Moskva was famously sunk by Ukrainian forces in April 2022. Russia claimed it was responding to an area it says was housing sea drones.

Persons: Makarov, Putin, ”, menacingly, Admiral Makarov, “ Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, Boston Whaler, CNN, “, UNESCO, Heritage Locations: Ukraine, Boston, Crimean, Russia, Crimea, Kerch, Crimea’s Sevastopol, Sevastopol, Moskva, Russian

☆ Elina Svitolina says ‘war made me stronger’ as Ukraine tennis star continues remarkable run
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Ukrainian Elina Svitolina says Russia’s invasion of her country has made her “mentally stronger” on the tennis court as she continues her stunning run at Wimbledon. That would cap off a whirlwind period in Svitolina’s career, during which she has been at the forefront of tennis’ humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine. “I think war made me stronger and also made me mentally stronger,” Svitolina told reporters after her victory against Świątek. “I think she’s incredible with everything,” Svitolina’s next opponent, the unseeded Vondroušová, told reporters on Tuesday. I’m really grateful for this.”

Persons: Elina Svitolina, Svitolina, Vondroušová, “, ” Svitolina, ”, I’m, ” Świątek, Susan Mullane, Reuters Svitolina, Venus Williams, Sofia Kenin, Victoria Azarenka, ” Svitolina’s, she’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Świątek, Julian Finney, Andrey Rublev, Novak Djokovic Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, Świątek, Reuters, UNITED24, Charleston, Getty Locations: Czech, Ukraine, London, Belarusian, Russian

☆ Ukraine hosted a drone-building competition to see what new tech could make a difference in the war against Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Kelly Mclaughlin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ukraine hosted a drone-building competition to find new tech to use against Russia, CNN reported. The competition took place outside Kyiv and featured unmanned-drone makers from across the globe. "Every few weeks, we conduct various studies, see what is happening in this direction, look for new drone developers, study the results," Fedorov told CNN. Drones have been a major part of the war on both sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Fedorov told CNN that first-person-view drones have been a "game-changer" for Ukraine and that the country is also developing some longer-range drones.

Persons: —, Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Fedorov, Jake Epstein Organizations: Russia, CNN, Service, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Digital Transformation, Army Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia

☆ Ukraine is losing 10,000 drones a month to Russian electronic-warfare systems that send fake signals and screw with their navigation, researchers say
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new report estimates that Ukraine is losing roughly 10,000 drones every month. A sophisticated electronic warfare system is among Russia's biggest strengths, researchers said. Patton Rogers said that while the figures are "likely" overestimated, they underline just how effective Russia's electronic warfare has become at countering Ukraine's extensive use of drones. Sophisticated Russian systems such as the Shipovnik-Aero jamming station are hard to detect and can imitate other signals, the researchers said. But by the summer of 2022 it was clear that Russia's electronic warfare and air defense capabilities had ramped up, as Insider's Alia Shoaib reported.

☆ A Ukrainian donation drive built an 'Army of Drones' and picked up an unusual system called a 'Shahed Hunter' for Kyiv's forces
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

It has used the funds to purchase thousands of UAVs, and systems to hunt Russian drones. The Shahed Hunter system is a network of radars and signal jammers that can detect Russian drones from around 25 miles away, Fedorov said. It's unclear where, exactly, the Shahed Hunter systems have been used or how many times they have been deployed. But Fedorov noted that Ukraine needs more of the systems to defend against continuous waves of Russian drone attacks. On Sunday night alone, Ukraine's air defense systems shot down 35 drones — 30 of which targeted Kyiv, according to the country's defense ministry.

☆ Video appears to show Ukraine striking a Russian warehouse in Bakhmut with devastating effects using US-made smart bombs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A video shows bombs being dropped on what appears to be a Russian military warehouse in Bakhmut. The kits transform unguided free-fall bombs into all-weather, precision-guided smart weapons. The bomb kits, which transform unguided, free-fall bombs into precision-guided munitions, have been sent to Ukraine in recent months, per reports. The kits can be bolted to unguided bombs ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds, and its pop-out wings allow it to glide up to 45 miles. The account noted that this appears to be one of the first videos showing bombs equipped with JDAM-ERs in action in Ukraine.

☆ Ukrainian designers 'escape reality' at London Fashion Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Sarah Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Models present creations by Ukrainian designer Ivan Frolov during the "Ukraine Fashion Week presents: FROLOV, KSENIASCHNAIDER, PASKAL" show during London Fashion Week in London, Britain, February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Henry NichollsLONDON, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Unable to show in their war-torn homeland, three Ukrainian fashion designers hit the runway at London Fashion Week on Tuesday, delighted to showcase some colour and joy. In the first of back-to-back shows, fashion house KSENIASCHNAIDER mixed denim jeans and dresses with white tops and multicoloured patchwork outfits in an eco-friendly collection. "I just want to say how we appreciate London Fashion Week and The British Fashion Council," he added, saying the support was vital to keep their businesses going. Keen to make sure their talent is seen, Ukrainian designers will also be showing in Berlin and Copenhagen.

☆ Ukraine is raising funds to build a strike force of 1,000 exploding drones to help defeat Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A Ukrainian intelligence unit has appealed for funds to buy up to 1,000 exploding drones. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have made extensive use of drones in the conflict. The Kryla, part of Ukraine's military-intelligence service, wants a fleet of 1,000 so-called first-person-view drones to help defend its front line against Russian forces. The defense ministry said such drones could collect intelligence and essentially function as snipers from a distance of about 6 miles. Funds are being raised through the "Starlife-Charity" foundation, which has helped Ukrainian forces since Russia invaded in February.

☆ Ukraine is raising funds to build a strike force of 1,000 kamikaze drones to help defeat Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A Ukraine intelligence unit has appealed for funds to buy up to 1,000 kamikaze drones. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have made extensive use of suicide drones in the conflict. The "Kryla," part of Ukraine's military intelligence service, wants a fleet of 1,000 so-called first-person-view drones to help defend its front line against Russian forces. Funds are being raised through the "Starlife-Charity" foundation, which has helped Ukrainian forces since Russia invaded last February. The defense ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

☆ Former astronaut Scott Kelly says Russians have been 'brainwashed' over Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Ryan Hogg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Former astronaut Scott Kelly said Russians defending the war in Ukraine have been "brainwashed." The former astronaut became an online "troll" of Russia's former space chief earlier this year. Kelly has used his 5.3 million followers on Twitter to blast Russia's attack on Ukraine, and played a part in the departure of Russia's top space official. Trolling to oblivionKelly spent 340 days on the International Space Station with NASA as part of a program run in collaboration with Russia's space agency Roscosmos. But he also directed his anger at Russians more generally who endorse a message that Russia is defending itself from Ukrainian "Nazis".

[1/5] The first train from Kyiv to Kherson arrives after Russia's military retreat from the city, at the main train station in Kherson, Ukraine November 19, 2022. Ukrainian forces liberated Kherson from Russian occupation on Nov. 11 in what amounted to another major battlefield setback for Moscow. It had been the only regional capital captured by Russian forces since the Feb. 24 invasion. The event included a performance by Ukrainian rock singer Oleh Skrypka, with passengers in the crowd, including Ukrainian soldiers, singing along. The southeastern city of Mariupol, which was heavily damaged earlier this year and is still occupied by Russian forces, is among the other destinations.

☆ Ukraine is crowdfunding a new fleet of drone boats to take on the Russian navy, and for just $250,000, it'll let people name one
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine has launched a crowdfunding appeal for a fleet of naval drones. The effort comes after Ukraine used the drones to strike Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Last month, a swarm of Ukrainian naval and aerial drones attacked Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. Oleksiy Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy, claimed Friday that they can also do more than just pester ships at port. "Such naval drones have already proven their effectiveness, and can change the situation in the Black Sea significantly."

☆ Ukraine seeks funds for naval drones to counter Russian missile strikes
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Nov 11 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday backed a fundraising campaign to help Ukraine build a fleet of naval drones to protect its cities against Russian missile strikes from the Black Sea. "We must defend the waters of our seas and peaceful cities from Russian missiles launched from ships," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "Naval drones will also help unblock the corridor for civilian ships transporting grain for the world." Russia started blockading Ukraine's Black Sea ports soon after the February invasion, blocking grain exports. "I am sure that millions of people will support this important area of Ukraine's defence," Zelenskiy wrote of the naval drone fundraising campaign.

☆ A 36-hour crowdfunding burst funded 60 armoured personnel carriers vital for Ukraine's winter warfare
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

60 British FV103 Spartan armored personnel carriers were purchased in 36 hours through crowdfunding. Charity founder Prytula, a popular Ukrainian TV presenter, visited the UK to check on the vehicles before beginning the crowdfunding. The Prytula Foundation has also funded cars, drones, communication systems, and medical equipment. Maria Pysarenko, media manager at the Prytula Foundation, said they could often tap into public sentiments to raise money for the war effort, The Guardian reported. He has helped send at least 500 drones to support the Ukrainian war effort, he told a Bloomberg interview.

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