The Take How Ukraine turned into the world’s drone testing lab
Dec 1, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Ben Makuch, a national security and investigative reporter, delves into the cutting-edge world of drone warfare in Ukraine. He reveals why tech moguls are flocking to the conflict zone and how drones now account for up to 80% of combat casualties. With vivid descriptions of the battlefield, Ben discusses the rapid production of drones from underground factories and the troubling psychological toll on drone operators. He warns of the potential for a global arms race ignited by Ukraine's unique testing ground for drone technology.
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Tech Billionaires In Kyiv Nightlife
- Ben Makuch walked into a posh Kyiv club and found billionaire Eric Schmidt dancing, highlighting tech figures visiting wartime Ukraine.
- The scene illustrated wealthy outsiders mixing with frontline soldiers and mercenaries amid a booming drone industry.
Modern War Feels Medieval And Digital
- Drone warfare mixes medieval defenses with digital-era weapons, like nets and anti-drone fire around cities and front lines.
- The constant buzzing of kamikaze drones makes urban nights terrifying and changes civilian and military life alike.
FPV Drones Level The Battlefield
- FPV (first-person view) drones evolved from consumer devices into cheap, lethal kamikaze weapons on the front lines.
- Their low cost and rapid production made them ideal asymmetric tools that level the battlefield for Ukraine.