Filatov, Commander of 1st Da Vinci SAB: We will be able to hold Pokrovsk if we are provided with drones and appropriate solutions
"We will be able to hold Pokrovsk if we make decisions that are appropriate to the situation and if the troops are provided with drones.
The Ukrainian army has significant advantages in Pokrovsk. We understand the enemy's directions of attack, our troops currently have more artillery ammunition, and we possess skilled commanders and combat-ready units. If we correct certain issues, Pokrovsk will be saved, the Russian offensive will be utterly defeated, and it's not too late to turn the situation around.
The most critical problems for our troops are:
- organization of our combat formations, where defense is not tied to specific lines but to points on the map, which is not always reasonable in the real situation;
- unreliable reports from commanders at various levels, who fear being dismissed and fail to timely report the loss of positions;
- lack of interaction, when several units work uncoordinated in the same area;
- an acute shortage of drones, where the enemy holds a significant numerical advantage.
For our soldiers, it remains unclear why the state fails to provide even the minimum required supply of drones.
Our assault battalion is constantly carrying out missions in the most challenging and strategically important areas of the frontline, yet over the past six months, we have received fewer than 30 Mavic and Autel drones from the Ministry of Defence.
The minimum monthly cost is more than 100 such drones.
We receive an amount equivalent to 10% of personal income tax from the Ministry of Defence every month, which is about UAH 1.2 million. We use this money to finance our priority expenses. We allocate UAH 200,000 to purchase grilles for armoured vehicles to enhance their protection. We are forced to spend UAH 60,000 on paper to print all orders and documents received. We have UAH 900,000 left to purchase drones, antennas, cables, and power supply units. This amount covers the cost of 5 Mavic-3T drones, which meets our needs for only 2 days, considering the scale of our operations. There are no funds left for electronic warfare systems at all.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation has announced a programme to award points for killed occupiers and destroyed equipment. In December, under this programme, we were supposed to receive 58 Mavic drones, but for unknown reasons, we have not received a single one yet. We are still waiting.
The assault battalion is provided with drones, equipment, and electronic warfare systems through the efforts of numerous volunteers and volunteer organizations. However, this support cannot be consistent or stable, and it is unacceptable to make the fate of Pokrovsk reliant solely on volunteer assistance.
The provision of drones and electronic warfare is a key element of modern warfare; without them, it is impossible to protect people, armoured vehicles, artillery, eliminate the enemy, or use troops at all. Why do we still need to prove this?
I hope that the leadership will pay attention to this problem, and decisions will be made in the near future on the systematic provision of troops in the frontline with drones and electronic warfare because the lives of our soldiers and the value of our land are incomparably higher than the relatively small amounts of money needed for drones and electronic warfare.
In this case, we will be able to defend Pokrovsk and eliminate the occupiers."
Today, the Yurii Butusov Foundation has sent another 4 Mavic-3T drones to the 1st Da Vinci SAB, purchased at the expense of our viewers and readers.
I hope that the issue of supplying the troops will finally be resolved, I ask the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief and Minister of Defense Rustem Umierov to pay attention at the Pokrovsk.
