Europe | Robocommander

Vadym Sukharevsky, the man in charge of Ukraine’s drones

Ukraine hopes its new drone command will help it regain the upper hand

Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Force of the Ukraine Armed Forces
Photograph: Getty Images
|KYIV

VADYM SUKHAREVSKY IS used to a seat in history’s front row. Ten years ago, in April 2014, his machineguns were the first to fire in Ukraine’s anti-terror operation, as the initial phase of the armed struggle against Russia was known. At the time, Ukraine’s forces were under a strict “no fire” order, even as Russian proxy fighters ran amok in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slovyansk. But the then lieutenant had little hesitation when it became clear that the enemy was preparing an ambush. “See it, shoot it,” he told his soldiers at the time. His fast thinking is credited with saving a dozen lives. The phrase is now embroidered on the gaming chair that swivels at his new command desk.

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This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Robocommander”

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From the July 27th 2024 edition

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