Ukrainian kids learn to fly drones for a future shaped by Russia’s invasion

In a school near Kyiv, Ukraine, wooden boards cover windows shattered by a Russian drone attack, highlighting the ongoing conflict’s impact on daily life. Inside, children of Ukrainian service members participate in Tech Explorers, a program by the nonprofit Dignitas, where they learn to fly, build, and repair first-person-view (FPV) drones. These drones have become crucial in modern warfare, accounting for 90% of casualties in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and are also used in logistics and civilian sectors. The program aims to equip students with technical skills relevant to the war’s realities. Eduard, a 14-year-old whose father is in the military, has excelled in drone piloting, even assisting in teaching. He began with a computer simulator and now competes in drone racing. The program not only fosters technical knowledge but also prepares students for an uncertain future amid the ongoing war. QUESTION: How might learning to operate drones influence the future career paths of these Ukrainian students?