![]() DJI controls about 90 percent of the global drone market. Most of the MacGyvered drones Ukraine had been deploying came from China, from companies like DJI, Autel and RushFPV. They even set up a fund that would allow them to buy and import all kinds of drones to create what came to be known as “The Army of Drones.” Ukraine began importing as many drones as they could. It became clear right away that drones worth hundreds of dollars could be used to effectively destroy Russian tanks and artillery batteries worth millions. Initially, Ukrainian soldiers tinkered with hobbyist racing drones, adding explosives and then dropping the payload on Russian positions or weaponry. “We make molds here: airframe, the fuselage, wings, tail - everything,” says CEO Vitalii Kolesnichenko. Two workers at Airlogix work on the body of a new combat drone. Ukraine has responded to Russia tanks and artillery with scrapy alternatives, and none have emerged more important than the tiny flying machines that have allowed Ukraine to punch way above its weight on the battlefield. The battle between Russia and Ukraine has been asymmetric from the start. The government in Kyiv has earmarked some $1 billion to support drone startups like his, and Russian forces are trying to find them to put them out of commission. ![]() Pop-up drone factories like his are working around the clock to build as many drones as possible and ship them to the frontline fighters who need them. “What should it say? Airlogix is here, we’re making combat drones for the Ukraine military, so Russia this is where to launch your missiles?” And then he burst out laughing. “You want us to have a sign?” Kolesnichenko said, extending a hand. It turns out the facility is so well hidden that three journalists tracking it on an iPhone managed to drive past it three times. The process of arriving was so stealthy, the night before our arrival, he sent us GPS coordinates - a little red pin dropped in the middle of nowhere - instead of an address. And he agreed to give us a tour of his drone factory on one condition: that we keep its location a secret. Kolesnichenko is the CEO and founder of a Ukrainian drone company called Airlogix. Vitalii Kolesnichenko was standing on a dirt road between two rusting warehouses with a big smile on his face. OUTSIDE KYIV, Ukraine - “Was there a sign? Did we miss the sign?” Exclusive: Inside Ukraine’s secret drone factories
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