Author:  Olha Moskaliuk

Chief Sergeant of UAV platoon, call sign Hedgehog: "There were cases when there were more drones with payload drops and spotter-drones in sky than soldiers on both sides"

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Before Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, he had not served conscript service and had no plans to join the army. He worked as a purchasing manager for spare parts for coffee vending machines and coffee equipment. However, at the beginning of the invasion, he went to the military registration and enlistment office to take part in the confrontation with the enemy. Today, Oleksandr, call sign Hedgehog, is the Chief Sergeant of a UAV platoon of the 5th SAB.

Oleksandr, Hedgehog

- "On February 24, 2022, I woke up to a missile flying into the Darnytska CHP plant," he recalls in our conversation about how it all began. - "Then there were several more hits nearby. But my plans for the day did not change much. In the morning, I went to the donor center to donate blood. Then I transported my girlfriend from her rented apartment to her mother's place on the Right Bank. And the next day I went to the military registration and enlistment office. 

- At that time, you were not involved in the army. How did you decide to go to war?


- We've all seen the news. The full-scale invasion was not such a surprise. We didn't want them to come to us in a parade to change the yellow and blue flag to tricolor rags.


- So on the eve of the full-scale attack, you realized what could happen? A lot of people did not believe it, thinking that our Western partners were just adding pressure to such a possible development.

- I would say that I expected such an invasion. It would have been logical.

- Why?

- This was clear from the way Russia behaved. When troops are moving near the border for training and maneuvers, it cannot be just a rattle of weapons. Such actions indicate preparations for an invasion. Plus, there was a dummy run back in 2014. It's just that back then they were not able to build on their success on such a large scale.

- The Russians thought they would be greeted with flowers. Some of them even took their uniforms with them. They planned to capture Kyiv in three days. Fortunately, this did not happen, in particular thanks to people like you. When you came to the military enlistment office, were you immediately recruited?

- A guy in uniform with a machine gun asked me if I had served in the army. I answered that I had not. He advised me to join the territorial defense. So I joined the 204th battalion of the TDF (Territorial Defence Forces), which was being formed near the Hippodrome. We received weapons. We spent some time there, watching missiles being shot down over Zhuliany.

- Could you please remind us where the 204th battalion fought in the beginning? Was it the Kyiv region?

- Units of this battalion took part in the battles for Moshchun and Horenka.

- Were you there too?

- No, I wasn't. Since I wear glasses, they thought I was a smart person and assigned me to the office clerk position.

Oleksandr, Hedgehog

So for about a month and a half, I was engaged in personnel accounting. Then the Fifth Separate Assault Regiment (now the 5th Brigade - O.M.) began to form. Almost my entire company joined it. For some time I was there as a driver. Then I was a code CW radio operator in a mortar battery.

- What emotions prevailed for you at that time?

- At first, delight that some historical events were happening - something grandiose. There was also fear. There was no escape from it. Everyone feels it and fights it in their own way. So the emotions were different. Perhaps a bit of disappointment, because McDonald's closed (smiles - O.M.).

- You said that everyone fought fear in their own way. How did you manage to overcome it?

- In different ways, depending on the situation. If we talk about the fear of commanders who behave like an army, at first, perhaps, it seemed incomprehensible and strange. And then you realize that this is their way of behavior.

Speaking of fighting, I had to get used to it. This adaptation takes about a month and a half from the first combat training.

Oleksandr, Hedgehog

- What was the most difficult thing for you then?

- Concentrating on the execution of the task. Then, in sub-zero temperatures, catching a drone with unexploded ordnance that failed to detonate and might fall on your head.

- So when did you start flying?

- Yes. But we started flying relatively early.

- Tell us, how did you become a pilot?

-Inside the mortar unit, there is a subunit called the fire control platoon. They are responsible for managing and adjusting mortar fire. Nowadays, this is done using drones. Back then, it was different, so we quickly began to adapt to the new trends of warfare. Drones were acquired as best as we could — some bought them with their own money, others had them provided by relatives or volunteers.

Oleksandr, Hedgehog

We tried using them to send pictures and streams to the command posts. Anyone from our platoon who wanted to, joined the flights. Then our battalion commander saw that each unit had its own pilots and issued a combat order for us. That's how we started working together.

- What did you fly first, Mavic?

- No. My very first drone was the Autel EVO Lite. I would call it Autel's attempt to give DJI a response to their Mavic. Let's just say it was a very budget version of the Mavic 3.

- How did you do it at first?

-I was really afraid of messing it up (smiles - O.M.). Because a lot of relatives, friends, and acquaintances chipped in to buy this drone. I thought that if I lost it or if it got jammed by electronic warfare, it would be really dumb. But I got used to it and started working.

Oleksandr, Hedgehog

-Do you remember your first flight?

- Our first flight was at the permanent base in Kyiv. We tried to raise someone else's drone 30 meters above us. We flew it back and forth and then landed. We weren’t too worried about it. But when you fly your own drone for the first time, it’s a burst of emotions.

- What was your first flight with your own drone? What task did you get?

The first task was just to see if it worked at all (smiles - O.M.). Then we started getting real tasks. At first, we filmed our mortars firing. We tried to adjust them, and it worked. We also filmed our aviation in action—both jet planes and helicopters.

We also surveyed our positions. Since there wasn’t strict control at the time, we started coming up with tasks on the fly. Some would just go out into the field with a pack of grenades and throw them into enemy trenches or destroy equipment. Others flew and conducted reconnaissance. Some figured out how to disassemble ammunition to adapt it to their needs, like VOG grenades. It was all very new back then.

- What did you switch to after the Autel?

- After the Autel, we used the Mavic-3 for a while. The debut mission was the temporary disabling of the MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun. Initially, everyone thought a tank was firing at our positions. It turned out to be an anti-tank gun. We called for artillery support, but they started firing from a Soviet-era Akatsiya, which had expired service life. It missed the target. I then suggested going to the front line with an infantryman to drop ammunition on the Rapira. We pulled it off: we damaged its internal equipment—sights, guidance systems, and so on. A couple of days later, it was gone.

- Where and when was it?

- Near the village of New York in the autumn of 2022.

- What was most commonly hit there?

- For some reason, I mostly targeted automotive equipment – Niva, UAZ, Zhiguli – vehicles used by enemy units to travel to the front lines. I even had one KAMAZ truck.

When we moved to Bakhmut in February 2023, personnel became the main target. Occasionally, there were weapons like mortars, SPGs, or AGSs.

- Back then, the situation in Bakhmut was difficult. What do you remember from those times?

- When we entered, Bakhmut was not completely destroyed. Most of it was under the control of the AFU. Despite all the damage, it gave the impression of a very developed city.

I was amazed at how civilians just walked down the streets when there was shelling and did not react to hits. I was also surprised by the behavior of the Wagner unit. Because they were attacking in a stupid sheeple - there is no other way to describe it. Groups of 20 to 50 people were attacking the position in waves. You could only see this in movies about World War II.

- Soldiers who also fought in Bakhmut at the time told me in interviews that the Wagnerites often attacked in this way while being gowed-up. They could attack without even holding a weapon in front of them...

- I can't say for sure about the use of any substances, because I didn't see them. However, their behavior can be described as inadequate. When, for example, a formation of 20 people is advancing on a forest plantation, and an artillery shell falls behind them and blows away half of them, and the rest continue on as if nothing had happened, this is not about adequacy. We have not seen this behavior in any other enemy unit.

- "Wagnerites" were such a diverse unit. There were professional mercenaries and convicts. Who did you encounter more often?

- With both. I'll name five characteristics of Wagner fighters. Firstly, they are very fond of MultiCam uniforms – probably like everyone else in the world. Secondly, they like to move in groups. Thirdly, for some reason, they were once obsessed with white construction bags – they carried them everywhere. Fourthly, they ride motorcycles and so-called "ants" – three-wheeled mopeds. Fifthly, they are insane fighters. They fought in such conditions where even a seasoned soldier would have hidden somewhere and waited for the shelling to end. But not them. They were reckless. Fortunately, they are no more. But I'll tell you this: they also showed incredible perseverance. For example, in a small forest, there were five SPG crews. Two crews were constantly running between them – reloading and firing. We desperately tried to hit them and inflict damage. We struggled with them for a very long time. They were truly professional soldiers.

- How did you target the Wagnerites?

- Mainly, with payload drops and by adjusting our fire assets.

- What kind of UAVs did they use?

- Luckily for us, Wagner had significant issues with drones by the time they were withdrawn. Especially compared to the regular Russian troops who came in later, whom we referred to as "vacationers"...

-Why is that?

- This is a sign of newly arrived fresh units because, during the first weeks, they fight as if on parade: throwing half of their available equipment into attacks, losing it, and conducting active assaults. Then they begin to realize that they won’t achieve anything this way and start trying to act more cunningly.

At that point, their UAV situation improved. I’d say that, overall, they are not standing still in this regard but are making progress. Some aspects, of course, remain Greek to them—for example, our bomber drones. However, they caught up with us very quickly in terms of FPV.

- Where did you fight after Bakhmut?

- I never left this area (smiles - O.M.). As soon as one of the brigades withdrew from Bakhmut, part of its front line became our responsibility. Actually, since then we have been holding the defense on the outskirts of the city. We have been here non-stop since February 2023.

- How would you characterize the current situation in your area?

- Stably difficult, controlled. There is no global hole in the defense or anything like that. The frontline is constantly monitored. If certain nuances arise, the necessary measures are taken, including counterattacks.

- Pavlo Palisa, the brigade commander of the 93rd Brigade, told me in an interview that the Russians' strategic goal by the end of the year is to reach the administrative boundaries of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Looking at what is happening there today, what would you say?

- I would say that they will try to move forward, but it will be a very painful and slow advance. In general, compared to wars of other eras, Ukraine is doing quite well - there is a McDonald's in Poltava, and civilization in Lozova and Dobropillia. In other words, people have the opportunity to live their lives during a full-scale war in the country. This means we are fulfilling our task with an A.

- One hundred percent! We are very grateful to you for your work and protection. You know, I remembered Palisa's words in the context of the latest news that the enemy is getting closer to the Dnipropetrovsk region. Is there a threat to the locals?

- First of all, I don't think the Russians have the strength and means to do so. Secondly, there are the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv directions, which are much closer to the contact line than the Dnipropetrovsk region. Personally, in this situation, I'm not as worried about Dnipro as I am about Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv. In Kherson, for example, Russians are already hunting the military with the help of UAVs - they are looking out and trying to hit them.

- Against this background, discussions about possible negotiations with Russia and freezing the conflict have intensified. This option can hardly be called optimistic...

- Look, as long as the war continues, either side can achieve victory. But speaking of optimism, perhaps while we're holding the line here, some daring guys from the DIU and SSU are mining the Russian General Staff and the Kremlin. Then there might be a spectacular fireworks display on New Year's Eve! Only Moscow won't enjoy it very much (smiles. - O.M.). No one knows for sure.

- That would be the best-case scenario. Let's return to UAVs. What are you flying now?

- I am in a unit that conducts reconnaissance for artillery. We fly fixed-wing drones. Specifically, right now, a Fury.

олександр,їжачок

- Is it difficult?

- I wouldn't say so. As military equipment, this is a finished product for us.

- Leila, the Platoon Commander of the strike UAVs of the K-2 battalion, told me that she dreams of hitting the Sontsepok. Did you have any, let's say, "working dreams"? Did you manage to realize any of them?

- Back in 2022-2023, I dreamed of hitting a tank. Unfortunately, it is rarely possible to do so with the Mavic. However, my comrade managed to throw a grenade into the hatch, after which the tank caught fire. I was able to hit only the tankers who were fleeing, having abandoned their vehicle when something broke down in it. Now I don't dream about that anymore.

- What do you dream about then?

- An endless supply of drones and munitions for all the models we could use.

- State supply in this area seems to have improved. What is your situation?

- Indeed, the supply has become much better recently. But there are not only standard systems that we use. There are more advanced ones, for example, the same fixed-wing - kamikaze drones. The "Shark" series UAV is also quite good as a reconnaissance drone. In other words, there are many options for how the unit can be developed by strengthening it.

- Leila also mentioned that sometimes they receive drones that need to be modified on the spot...

- Yes, this is a common situation with FPV drones. There aren't many drones that can simply be taken out of the box, connected, and flown. Additionally, each unit has developed its own specific ways of using their equipment. Everything is reconfigured accordingly. There are volunteer foundations that send drones, for example, exclusively with digital cameras, which in 90 percent of cases cannot transmit an image to the drone operator, unlike analog ones. That's why modifications are necessary. The guys often do this at their own expense.

- What's the situation with the supply of UAVs like the Furia you fly?

- It would be great to have a few more units. But overall, it’s satisfactory. When the weather conditions are favorable, we can provide a very broad picture of what is happening.

- Weather conditions are deteriorating, which unfortunately affects your work. Has it become more challenging?

- Once the frosts arrive, it will get easier (we are recording this interview on November 16 - O.M.).

- Fog and drizzle are the worst weather conditions for your work, right?

- Yes. When the Russians did not have enough aerial reconnaissance to cover their battlefield, they purposely avoided moving out while the weather was good. But as soon as the rains and fog set in, they left their trenches en masse and launched attacks while our unit was "blind." So, indeed, the weather plays a crucial role on the front. But I’ll tell you this: DJI should consider paying us some grants (smiles - O.M.) for testing the extreme capabilities of the Mavic. Because learning to push this drone to its limits on the battlefield is an art. We’ve been squeezing every last bit out of it in any conditions—rain, humidity, or freezing temperatures. If there are assault operations, the drone flies.

- We really have a lot to show the world. After all, no one has ever fought like us.

- And now the whole world is learning. But I’ll tell you this: they’ll quietly observe, but there won’t be any applause.

-  How would you assess the Russian pilots?

- They are quite experienced. Those who have been fighting for a long time are fairly skilled. But there is one important detail that works to our advantage: their command doesn't spare them as much as ours does. There have been situations when enemy units entered a village, captured one and a half streets, and immediately sent their drone operators to set up positions. Everyone could see them coming in, bringing communication systems, and starting to fly from there. As a result, they didn’t last long because they were quickly taken out. Our command is much more cautious and looks after its pilots, unlike the enemy, who fights with numbers. However, I should also note that they do occasionally get new equipment.

- What's the latest?

- Speaking of drones, these are the "netters". They started fighting drones with drones. In August, the situation was tough because they were ramming our drones. We were ramming theirs, too. There were cases when the number of drones with payload drops and spotter drones in the sky outnumbered the soldiers on both sides.

- It's better to fight with drones than with people.

- Indeed, there are fewer casualties. But look — the situation has progressed to this point in just one year. One or two drones in an assault at the beginning of 2023 was like, "Wow!" Now there are eight drones flying from just one unit. I can't even imagine what it'll be like at the end of 2025 (smiles - O.M.).

- Is there any parity in the sky in your direction now?

- There are too many different factors to say whether there is a clear parity. Let's put it this way: the ratio of our forces doesn't allow them to operate at full capacity and make maneuvers. Similarly, it is also difficult for us to conduct counterattacks. They have a very powerful electronic warfare system. They try to saturate the area with it if they know that our drone operators have been there. For example, a week ago, it was possible to fly in a certain area, but now a "UAV" will fly there and get "fried" from the amount of radiation in the area.

- As far as I know, the situation with the EWs has also improved...

- This is true. But mostly due to volunteers and local solutions. "No one has canceled the Kulibins" (smiles - O.M.).

- To conclude our conversation, I would like to ask you what the army has taught you?

- A lot of things. First of all, how to fight.

- And besides skills? My military friends say that they have started to appreciate life and their families more, and have found close people here...

- No doubt! I also have reliable friends - comrades in arms. And my attitude to many things has changed. Perhaps I have become someone different than I was before the war. Here, I definitely learned the things that people like to put on their resumes (smiles - O.M.) - stress resistance, dedication, teamwork, etc. The Armed Forces of Ukraine teach all these skills well. If you do not have them, please contact us!

Olha Moskaliuk, Censor.NET

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