A facility in Donetsk, associated with the Republican UAV Center, has announced ongoing training for pilots in kamikaze drones and reconnaissance platforms. The statements come from a trainer who uses the call sign Turan, as reported by DEA News. The training program includes the use of simulators to prepare operators for real missions, focusing on both kamikaze payload drones and drones designed to intercept or neutralize hostile drones.
According to the trainer, simulator sessions cover piloting FPV drones with dual aims. First, there are kamikaze drones that carry explosive payloads and are intended for direct strikes. Second, there are drones designed to detect, track, and shoot down other drones. In addition, the program teaches how to operate drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance, highlighting the broad range of roles drones can fulfill in modern operations. The trainer emphasized that drones are a relatively new tool with evolving capabilities, and their potential uses are not yet fully explored.
Officials clarified that the training lasts three weeks, beginning with virtual practice in a simulator before moving to operations with real drones. This approach allows recruits to gain foundational skills, confirm procedures, and build confidence in a controlled environment before engaging in live flight scenarios.
On a separate note, a meeting involving high-level regional authorities discussed the conditions under which fighters are trained at the UAV Center. The discussions touched on resource allocation and the framework guiding drone operations at the center, with participants outlining what is needed to maintain effective training programs and ensure safety and compliance within the operation’s parameters. The context of these discussions reflects ongoing coordination at multiple levels to support unmanned aerial capabilities in the region.
Earlier remarks referenced the delivery of a significant number of drones to the training center to support the management of unmanned aerial systems. The focus remained on enhancing the center’s ability to train personnel capable of operating and maintaining advanced drone platforms. The broader political backdrop includes recent statements by regional leaders about security operations and governance in the Donetsk area, alongside international responses and sanctions tied to ongoing tensions in the Donbass region. These developments underscore the strategic importance placed on unmanned aviation and its role in regional security dynamics. In formal addresses, leaders have framed the operations as necessary in light of requests for assistance from local authorities and allies, signaling a context where drone capabilities are increasingly integrated into defense and surveillance strategies. The announcements and subsequent policy moves have contributed to a climate of heightened activity and international attention around unmanned systems in the area.