State of the World from NPR Inside a Drone Factory in Ukraine
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May 23, 2025 Drones are becoming vital in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the country producing around two million UAVs last year. The podcast takes listeners inside a Kyiv factory, showcasing a diverse team dedicated to drone innovation. Urgent challenges shape their work as they adapt to an uncertain landscape without guaranteed support. A spotlight on a scientist's shift to drone manufacturing illustrates the race for technological solutions, highlighting the significant role of these aerial vehicles in modern warfare.
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Basement Drone Makers in Kyiv
- Andre Juchno and his team make FPV attack drones in a basement workshop near a playground in Kyiv.
- Many team members had different careers before the war, now united in drone production to support Ukraine.
Drone Makers Motivated by Soldiers
- Ukrainian drone makers feel motivated by soldiers' gratitude and increasing drone effectiveness on the front.
- The conflict has become a technological arms race in which each side counters innovations from the other.
Ukraine's Drone Self-Sufficiency
- Ukraine emphasizes self-sufficiency in drone production to avoid dependence and delays.
- Russia lags in drone innovation but compensates with greater production capacity, highlighting a tech race dynamic.