Ukraine and Latvia launch drone and electronic warfare coalition
Source: Ukraine’s defense ministry
Ukraine and Latvia are starting a coalition of drones and radio-electronic warfare. Other countries are welcomed to join the coalition.
Latvia initiated the creation of the coalition during a meeting of defense ministers in December 2023. This initiative will help the Ukrainian military in the war, where the use of drones has become an important element of combat operations.
‘Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine demonstrated the strategic value and effectiveness of using drones in combat. We must promote Ukraine’s superiority on the battlefield and demonstrate long-term support for Ukraine. That is why we set ourselves high tasks,’ Latvia’s defense minister Andris Spruds stated.
‘Ukrainian production is already showing results, and these are more than 70 samples of unmanned aerial vehicles. And now we need help scaling,’ said Ukraine’s deputy minister Kateryna Chernohorenko.
Partner countries have already expressed their support and understanding of the expediency of creating a coalition. They will announce their next steps on January 23 during the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.
To commemorate the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, “Bukvy” has compiled data on the largest donors supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among them there are charitable foundations and businesses. The list includes, in particular, foundations that provide assistance exclusively from their own resources, without fundraising (such as SCM by Rinat Akhmetov, Epicenter, etc.).
In just 1.5 months, Ukrainian specialists have created an innovative protective shell for the control modules of anti-aircraft missile systems (AMS) Patriot and Iris-T SLM. This development was another step in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, aimed at protecting key elements of the air defense system from debris damage.