I spoke with Ukrainian defense analyst @olenakr.bsky.social about Ukraine's drone innovation, as well Elon Musk's cutting of access to Russia's Starlink, and what's to come in 2026 publicsphere.news/p/how-drones...
In honor of the recent Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I am launching my third fundraising campaign for a Mavic reconnaissance drone for the military unit of my university friend Vasyl. Previously, we raised funds for two Mavics.
PayPal:
www.paypal.com/pools/c/9kQm...
While drones have not yet produced a decisive military breakthrough, they have been indispensable for Ukraine’s national survival.
This is an English version of my piece originally published in German by the journal Ukraine-Analysen.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/drone-warf...
Wrote an article about Ukraine’s Brave1 Market - a great defence-procurement tool, often described as an “Amazon for War” — where Ukrainian military officials can order the equipment they need.
It’s free - please read and share.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
My monthly digest on Russia includes an important section on the role of Russian civil society in sustaining the war effort — proving that this is not just “Putin’s war.”
States must not only learn and acquire unmanned systems, but also implement robust counter-UAS measures. Because nothing will easily stop criminal groups from adopting these innovations and exporting violence into civilian life.
My new digest is out:
In recent months, Ukrainian forces have conducted over 160 strikes on oil refineries and other facilities deep inside Russia. The new Flamingo missile has already been used in real combat conditions at least nine times.
My new digest has been published.
If the radio fails, the person may never come back. Read my article about the producer of tactical walkie-talkies in Ukraine.
Sweden’s Saab is ready to open a plant in Ukraine to produce Gripen fighter jets.
Read my new digest to learn why Ukraine chose the Gripen for its air force — and not the American F-series or French Rafale.
At least 80% of a drone mission’s success depends on the skills of a pilot. Yet when we hear that NATO allies plan to acquire thousands of super-modern drones, much less is said about their plans to train the people who will pilot and service them. Read my new article:
FPV drones have revolutionized warfare in Ukraine, and I recently interviewed the founder of one of the country’s largest FPV producers — TAF Industries, which currently produces up to 80,000 FPV drones per month and can scale output to 150,000 per month.
open.substack.com/pub/ukraines...
Naval drones are an outstanding tool for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. However, Russia can use the same technology against those it considers its “adversaries.” The Russians’ ultimate goal with their naval drone program appears to be the creation of asymmetric threats.
My new article:
35 people have already donated to my campaign supporting a friend in Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and we’ve collected over $2,600!
There’s less than $1,000 left to reach the target amount.
I’m sure that with your help, we can make it happen! 💙💛
PayPal: www.paypal.com/pools/c/9iIm...
Ukraine’s cruise-missile pioneer Fire Point is already producing and delivering 2–3 Flamingo missiles and roughly 100 FP-1 long-range drones per day.
More about this and other developments in my weekly newsletter Arms Trends in Ukraine:
open.substack.com/pub/ukraines...
One of the best-known Ukrainian interceptor drones is the STING. In just five months of operations, it reportedly intercepted more than 600 enemy UAVs. STING drones are almost completely funded by donations.
Read my open-access report:
What qualities should interceptor drones have to counter Shaheds? What can Ukraine teach Europe about counter-drone measures?
Talking about this in the new edition of my newsletter.
Thank you!
Today is Vladimir Putin’s birthday! 🎂 Let’s celebrate his glorious 73 years by supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces 🇺🇦 I’m raising $3,400 for the military unit of my university friend, who is currently serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
PayPal: www.paypal.com/pools/c/9iIm...
In the new edition of my digest Russia’s Arms Trends:
❗ Russian Drone Incursions in Europe;
❗ Zapad-2025 Military Exercise;
❗ Moscow Adapts Its Ballistic Missiles to Evade Ukraine’s Air Defences;
❗ and 20+ additional developments in Russia.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/russias-ar...
I prepare weekly reports on defence tech developments in Ukraine, and this one focuses on autonomous technologies. Give it a read:
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/towards-gr...
Thank you so much!
For those who don’t know: I have a newsletter on Substack focusing on defence tech in Ukraine. If you get a paid subscription, you can drop me a note specifying that you’d like the money to go towards the fundraising.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com
Thank you!
Today is my 34th birthday! And I’m using this opportunity to launch a new fundraising campaign to raise $3,400 for the fiber-optic equipment for the unit of my university friend, Vasyl serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
PayPal: www.paypal.com/pools/c/9iIm...
I joined Arthur Snell, an Associate Fellow at RUSI and former UK diplomat, on the popular geopolitics podcast Behind the Lines.
I had a great conversation with @olenakr.bsky.social about defense and how Ukrainians can build racial solidarity with Black peoples around the world. Check out our full conversation on Substack at Terrell J Starr Official.
My fundraiser ended yesterday. I’ve collected 2,055 CAD through PayPal, 850 CAD to my Canadian bank account, and an additional 1,000 EUR to my Ukrainian account. I’ve initiated the process of transferring all the funds to my friend Vasyl in Ukraine to purchase the equipment his unit needs.
Please email me elena91kr@gmail.com
Just received the largest donation so far - $1,100 USD for a drone for my university friend Vasyl—from someone I connected with through Bluesky. Here is a final call for donations. WISE or e-transfers to my Ukrainian, Canadian or Turkish accounts are also possible.
www.paypal.com/pools/c/9flF...
Thank you, got it! The largest donation so far)
