World‘This is where democracy beats totalitarianism’: Ukraine’s drone force takes the fight to Russia

At a Ukrainian launch site in the countryside, members of the elite Magyar’s Birds brigade are using Russia’s vast size against it. As evening fell over a field of sunflowers, a moped-like engine broke the quiet. Lt Col Ray, a commander with Ukraine’s 414th aviation brigade, took cover in a ditch. Moments later, a drone climbed into the mauve sky at a 45-degree angle, its orange flames flickering. Resembling a sleek grey biplane, it continued onward while trailing thick black smoke and the smell of gunpowder.

UkraineRussiadronesarmed conflict

TThe Guardian★★★★☆2026-08-02 05:00Original