London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jun 05, 2023

'Shark' drones being deployed on Ukraine battlefield in 'now or never' moment

'Shark' drones being deployed on Ukraine battlefield in 'now or never' moment

A wave of drones with a shark design is due to be deployed by the Ukrainian military as the conflict reaches what has been described as a ‘now or never’ moment.

The high-spec unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are funded through a charitable initiative utilising funds donated from sales at a petrol station network in the country.

With an expected counter-offensive due this spring, they will provide increased surveillance and reconnaissance range for Kyiv’s military, providing data for firepower including the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMAR).

The eastern city of Bakhmut has become the focal point of a conflict where Ukraine’s military has been utilising Western lethal aid and improvised drone systems to exact heavy losses on Russian forces ahead of the expected push-back.

The sharks have been rapidly designed and put into production by a Ukrainian aerospace company during the full-scale invasion.

A total of 25 intelligence complexes consisting of 75 ‘birds’ overall are due to be deployed on the frontline through the initiative run by Come Back Alive, a charitable foundation which supports the armed forces.

Two UAVs are already on the battlefield, with the supporting complex including associated equipment such as command and control systems, ground vehicles and launch ramps.

The UAVs have a striking shark design and a camera able to track moving targets


The ongoing collaborative effort has so far raised 287 million hryvnias (£7.2 million) towards a target of 325 million, with the newly deployed kit being the first results of the amount raised to date.

Mykola Bielieskov, senior analyst at the foundation, told Metro.co.uk: ‘The shark intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs have critical importance because they will provide data for the most formidable rocket systems like HIMARS and M270 MLRS at a range of 75-plus kilometres.

‘As HIMARS and MLRS can target the enemy at a range of 85 kilometers we need to have the comparable intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance equipment. The UAVs are also being provided in preparation for a possible upcoming counter-offensive.

‘Private enterprise and charity are combining behind this window of opportunity so that our artillery systems can be utilised to the fullest possible extent. This project and others run by the Come Back Alive foundation are examples of how civil society is mobilising behind the military and as you can see, the work is bearing fruit.

‘All Ukrainians pay taxes which go to the Ministry of Defence’s budget but all Ukrainians realise that it is not enough. They are also ready to spend money to purchase fuel and to buy these incredible UAVs.’

The first of the new UAVs have been deployed with the aim of eventually providing 75 drones


The funding was raised through a partnership with the Ukrainian OKKO fuel station network whereby a hryvnia from every litre of premium Pulls petrol and diesel sold goes to the shark project.

Ukrainian firm Ukrspecsytems has entered the drones into production during the full-scale invasion, equipping the systems with encrypted communications, a 30x optical zoom camera and 150mph top speed.

The Kyiv-headquartered foundation has already provided large consignments of high-tech equipment, together with training, to troops.

Donations have included a strike drone complex, armoured vehicles, pick-up trucks and thousands of pieces of thermal imaging kit.

‘The birds were designed and produced in the space of a year, during the war, from the drawing board, to prototypes, to testing and now to the battlefield,’ Mr Bielieskov said.

The drones have been made from a blueprint drawn up by a Ukrainian company during the full-scale invasion


‘The private enterprise drew on their previous accumulated expertise, knowledge and experience going back to 2014 when Russia began its war on Ukraine to produce the UAVs, which are incredible not only in terms of range but with their high quality cameras and ability to operate day and night and track moving targets.

‘They are state of the art in terms of what Ukrainian private enterprise can produce for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and tactical range. The project was made possible because our charity is constantly finding the best ways to raise money and use it to the greatest effect.

‘We are now entering a period of “now or never” with this upcoming half a year going to be the most critical time yet to double down.

‘There’s a window of opportunity to provide assistance to the military as Ukraine prepares for a possible counter-offensive before Russia enters another round of mobilisation. It’s not the end of the confrontation but we now have an opportunity to do things right and begin the end game of what started on February 24, 2022.’

The supplied kit includes intelligence complexes with take-off ramps and guidance systems


Phillips O’Brien, professor of Strategic Studies at the University of St Andrews, described the foundation’s work as a matter of life and death.

Professor O’Brien said: ‘As Ukraine is gearing up for a counter-offensive, it needs to arm its soldiers with both the new heavy equipment being supplied by its friends, but also a large number of smaller systems, from UAVs to SUVs to body armour. Come Back Alive is an organization that has strong support across Ukraine to get such systems in the hands of their soldiers as they prepare for this vital action.

‘In the case of some Ukrainian soldiers, the support of Come Back Alive will make the difference between life and death.’

The sharks are part of what the Come Back Alive foundation anticipates could be a critical phase in the war


Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited troops near the frontline in the eastern Donetsk region today, presenting medals to ‘heroes’ who he said had protected ‘the sovereignty of our country’.

The Ukrainian president’s visit came as Chinese leader Xi Jinping landed back in Beijing after meeting Vladimir Putin in Moscow, a meeting said by Western analysts to mark an aligning of their interests against the US.

On the battlefield, there were signs of Ukrainian forces shoring up their ground in Donetsk, with fighting near embattled Bakhmut reported by the UK Ministry of Defence.

The update on Twitter stated: ‘Over recent days Ukrainian forces initiated a local counterattack to the west of the Donetsk Oblast town Bakhmut, which is likely to relieve pressure on the threatened H-32 supply route.

‘Fighting continues around the town centre and the Ukrainian defence remains at risk from envelopment from the north and south.

‘However, there is a realistic opportunity that the Russian assault on the town is losing the limited momentum it had obtained, partially because some Russian MoD units have been reallocated to other sectors.’

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
Close
0:00
0:00
The driver has been described by authorities as a 21-year-old woman from Tallahassee
You Are So Beautiful
Joe Biden falls at the Air Force Graduation
Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
America's Got Talent…
An old French tune (by Georges Brassens) Pomplamoose ft. John Schroeder
Nvidia Joins Tech Giants as First Chipmaker to Reach $1 Trillion Valuation
Sattahip Motor Show 20
Drone Attack on Moscow's Wealthiest Neighborhoods Suspected to be Launched by Ukraine
SONATE AU CLAIR DE LUNE - Moonlight sonata
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to Hold Power Talks with President Biden in Washington
A kiss to build a dream on
AI ‘extinction’ should be same priority as nuclear war – experts
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Prominent Hacker Forum RaidForums Suffers Substantial Data Breach
Mean Blues
Climate cultists thought they had sabotaged another beautiful event — then the cameraman had his revenge.
La Chansonnette
Nvidia CEO Huang says firms, individuals without AI expertise will be left behind
Pattaya Addicts
WPP Revolutionizes Advertising with NVIDIA's AI Powerhouse
Franz Liszt - Liebestraum - Love Dream
Two US Employees Fired For Chasing Robbers Out Of Store As They Broke ''Company Policy''
Dream a little dream of me
Pfizer, the EU, and disappearing ink - Smoke, Mirrors, and the Billion-Dose Pfizer Vaccine Deal: EU's 'Open Secret
Unchained Melody sung like you've NEVER heard!
Actor Tom Hanks told Harvard University graduates to be superheroes in their defense of truth and American ideals, and to resist those who twist the truth for their own gain
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
The Sussexes' Royal Rebound: Could Harry and Meghan Markle Return to the UK?
Édith Piaf - Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien (Sofie)
A provocative study suggests: Left-Wing Extremism and its Unsettling Connection to Psychopathy and Narcissism
Rondo Alla Turca
France Arrests 10 on Suspicion of Failing to Respond in Time to Migrant Drowning
Kiss of fire
Neuralink Receives FDA Approval for First-in-Human Clinical Study
Tom Jones - I´ll Never Fall In Love Again 1967, 1989, 2001
Ukrainian Intelligence Official Admits to Assassination Attempts on Putin
Israel Cachao López - Guajira Clásica
WATCH THIS: democracy in Russia is so bad!
Edward Maya - Stereo Love (feat. Vika Jigulina) (Extended Mix)
Ed Davey: It is possible for a woman to have a penis
Strauss - Radetzky March - Karajan
Bernard Arnault Loses $11.2 Billion in One Day as Investors Fear Slowdown in US Growth Will Reduce Demand for Luxury Products
La vie en rose
Russian’s Wagner Group leader: “I am not a chef, I am a butcher. Russia is in danger of a revolution like in 1917.”
The Temptations - My Girl (Smokey Robinson Tribute) 2006 Kennedy Cent
TikTok Sues Montana Over Law Banning the App
Orlando Cachaito Lopez Redencion
Ron DeSantis Jumps Into 2024 Presidential Race, Setting Up Showdown With Trump
Edith Piaf - NON, JE NE REGRETTE RIEN
Steve Jobs introducing Apple's iPhone, exactly 16 years ago.
RADETZKY MARCH-2008-Wien, New Year Concert
Banking Behemoth vs Ex-Boss: The PMorgan-Epstein Entanglement
Only you (And you alone)
China overtakes Japan as world's top car exporter
Strangers In The Night
Banking Behemoth vs Ex-Boss: The PMorgan-Epstein Entanglement
Charles Aznavour - La Boheme
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Italy's Unipol join forces to help Italians hit by flooding
Summer time
Talks between US House Republicans and President Biden's Democratic administration on raising the federal government's $31.4tn debt ceiling have paused
Sting and Stevie Wonder - Fragile (from Sting's 60th birthday concert)
Biden Administration Eyeing High-Profile Visits to China: The Biden Administration is heating things up by looking into setting up a series of top-level visits to Beijing by top officials in the coming months
Aux Champs Elysees
New evidence in special counsel probe may undercut Trump’s claim documents he took were automatically declassified
Stand By Me - Ben E. King (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
A French court of appeals confirmed former President Nicolas Sarkozy's three-year jail term for corruption and influence peddling
La Mer (Beyond the Sea) – Avalon Jazz Band
Debt Ceiling Crises Have Unleashed Political Chaos
She
Weibao Wang, a former software engineer at Apple, was charged with stealing trade secrets related to autonomous systems, including self-driving cars
Nathalie Song by Enzo Petrachi Stjepan Hauser Cello
Mobile phone giant Vodafone to cut 11,000 jobs globally over three years as new boss says its performance not good enough
Shape of My Heart - Sting (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Elon Musk compares George Soros to Magneto, the supervillain from the Marvel Comics series.
Radiohead - Creep
Warren Buffett Sells TSMC Shares Over Concerns About Taiwan's Stability
Quizás,Quizás,Quizás - Andrea Bocelli - Jennifer Lopez
New Study Finds That Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia Is a Major Cause of Death in COVID-19 Patients Who Require Ventilator Assistance
Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps - Multi-Couples
Vienna: Passenger Plays Hitler Speeches on Train, Causes Panic
Pentatonix Havana
Remarkable video from our Fox drone team
Paula Cole - Autumn Leaves
The official tapes of Trump's deposition in the E. Jean Carroll battery (rape) and defamation case have been released.
Oscar Benton Bensonhurst Blues
Here is the full video that the media are purposely not sharing
OH NANANA vs ABUSADAMENTE
King Charles III being crowned.
Nina Simone - ”I Put A Spell On You”. Vezi aici cum cântă Jeremy Ragsd
Newly released video of Donald Trump’s rape trial deposition:
NIGHTWISH - The Phantom Of The Opera
Video: Ukraine MP Punches Russian Representative At Global Meet
Motorshow 2016 Tanjay Negros Oriental
Russia accused Ukraine of attacking the Kremlin with drones in an attempt to kill Putin
Monica Bellucci - Ti Amo
Ahead of King Charles’ coronation, British guards rehearse in the middle of the night in London
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean Milena The Voice France 2018
Dutch court orders man who fathered 550 kids to stop donating sperm
Michael Buble (Help Me Make It Through The Night) feat Loren Allred
Memories Canon In D - Maroon 5 (Boyce Avenue piano acoustic cover)
Matteo Simoni - Marina
Maroon 5 - One More Night
Maroon 5 - Memories
Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms (Berlin 2007 Live)
Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Romeo And Juliet (Real Live Roadrunni
Marina, Marina - The LUCKY DUCKIES intimist live concert at Guimarães
Major Lazer & DJ Snake – Lean On Mauranne The Voice France 2016
Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet - Joslin - Henri Mancini, Nino Rota
LoLa & Hauser - Love Story
Linkin Park Jay-Z - Numb Encore (Live 8 2005)
Hallelujah Mennel Ibtissem, The Voice France Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen - Dance Me to the End of Love
Leonard Cohen & Natasha Rostova - Dance me to the end of love
La casa de papel - Bella Ciao
La Camisa Negra
L'italiano (Toto Cutugno) - The Gypsy Queens
Juanes - La Camisa Negra
Jonathan and Charlotte - Britain's Got Talent 2012 Live Semi Final - U
John Powell - Assassin's Tango
Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On (LIVE in Dortmund)
Joe Cocker - Unchain My Heart 2002 Live
Joe Cocker - A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Jay Z & Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind LIVE
Jason Mraz - Im Yours (live)
Jarrod Radnich - Bohemian Rhapsody - Virtuosic Piano Solo
James Blunt - You're Beautiful
James Blunt - You're Beautiful & Bonfire Heart (Live at The Nobel Peac)
If You Go Away - Helen Merrill & Stan Getz (Tribute to Virna Lisi)
I'LL BE MISSING YOU
I Say a Little Prayer
Hotel California ( Eagles ) 1994 Live
Historia de un amor - Luz Casal. Vezi interpretarea Biancăi Sumanariu
Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover) on Spot
Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors
HAVANA by Camila Cabello Zumba Pre Cooldown TML Crew Kramer Pastra
HAUSER and Señorita - I Will Always Love You
HAUSER - Waka Waka
HAUSER - Sway
HAUSER - Lambada
HAUSER - Historia de un Amor
HAUSER - Despacito
Great Pretender
Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice Samba to 'Volare' - Strictly Come
Gary Moore - Still Got The Blues
GIPSY KINGS VOLARE Penelope Cruz
Fugees - Killing Me Softly With His Song
French Latino - Historia de un Amor
For A Few Dollars More The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (Live)
Flashdance • What a Feeling • Irene Cara
Filip Rudan - “Someone You Loved” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sez
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight
Enya - Only Time
Enrique Iglesias - Bailando (English Version) ft. Sean Paul
Enrique Iglesias - Bailamos
Elena Yerevan Historia de un amor
Ed Sheeran - Shape of You (Official Music Video)
Ed Sheeran - Perfect Symphony [with Andrea Bocelli]
Ed Sheeran - Perfect (Official Music Video)
Easy On Me - Adele (Boyce Avenue 90’s style piano acoustic cover) on S
ERA - Ameno
ELENA YEREVAN- Cancion Del Mariachi-IN STUDIO-2017 DPR
Dust In The Wind - Kansas (Boyce Avenue acoustic cover)
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Despacito x Shape Of You - Pentatonix
Deep Purple - Child In Time - Live (1970)
David Foster When A Man Loves A WomanIt's A Mans World (SealMichael Bo
Dance me to the end of Love ( Pi-Air Design )
Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise (feat. L.V.) [Official Music Video]
Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis), played on Böhm Emporio organ
Cielito Lindo
Chico & The Gypsies - Bamboleo
Canción Del Mariachi - Antonio Banderas, Los Lobos • Desperado
Camila Cabello - Havana (Audio) ft. Young Thug
Camila Cabello - Havana ( cover by J.Fla )
California Dreamin' - The Mamas & The Papas José Feliciano (Boyce Ave
Buster Benton - Money Is The Name of The Game
Hallelujah Pentatonix
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy (Official Music Video)
Bob Dylan - Knockin' On Heaven's Door Emilia The Voice Kids France
Besame Mucho - Cesaria Evora
Ben E. King - Stand by Me Sax Cover Alexandra Ilieva Thomann
Bella Ciao
Bella Ciao - INSTRUMENTAL
Beautiful in White x Canon in D (Piano Cover by Riyandi Kusuma)
Bad Romance - Vintage 1920's Gatsby Style Lady Gaga Cover ft. Ariana Savalas & Sarah Reich(1)
BELLA CIAO 2020 - KARAOKE ITALIANO
BAMBOLEO - Gipsy Kings • Antonio Banderas, Katya Virshilas
BAILANDO (original)
Awesome Ukrainian yodeler - SOFIA SHKIDCHENKO (with English subtitles)
Avicii - The Nights
Atom - The Great Gig in the Sky
Aretha Franklin - (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Official Ly
Antonio Banderas - Cancion del Mariachi (Desperado)
André Rieu - Zorba's Dance (Sirtaki)
André Rieu - Can't Help Falling In Love
André Rieu & Mirusia - Ave Maria
Andrew Reyes Elton John - Don't Let The Sun Go Down The Voice 2020 (
Andreas Kümmert Whiter Shade Of Pale The Voice of Germany 2013 Showd
And I Love You So
All About That Bass - Postmodern Jukebox European Tour Version
Alan Walker - Faded (Piano Cover)
Ain't No Sunshine -- Bill Withers (cover by Canen 12 y.o.)
African music
Adriana Vidović - “Creep” Audicija 4 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
Adriana Vidović - “Believer” Nokaut 3 The Voice Hrvatska Sezona 3
A Fistful of Dollars - The Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Tuva
4 Beautiful Soundtracks Relaxing Piano [10min]
2CELLOS - Whole Lotta Love vs. Beethoven 5th Symphony [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
2CELLOS - Smooth Criminal (Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo)
2CELLOS - Smells Like Teen Spirit [Live at Sydney Opera House]
2CELLOS - Despacito [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
13 Year Old Girl Playing Il Silenzio (The Silence) - André Rieu
094.All About That Bass
00 - SADNESS PART 1
(Ghost) Riders In the Sky (American Outlaws Live at Nassau Coliseum, 1
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams (Boyce Avenue ft. Conn
What a wonderful world
Moon river
×