Aerial assassins causing lethal damage from above.
Initially, you'll notice a persistent hum. It originates about three kilometers away. Discerning the drone's direction becomes crucial - is it heading towards you or not? Then, you have to take it down before it can take you out.
Iranian drones, deployed by Russia, bring destruction and misery to Ukraine: Initially, they remain unseen and silent, but as they descend to heights of 100 to 30 meters (similar to a nine-story building), they enter cities. Each resident of Odessa knows the chilling and overwhelming sound above, resembling a chainsaw or lawnmower. It's a sound associated with death, constantly sent to terrorize, frighten, and end civilians' lives in tranquil Ukrainian towns.
On New Year's Eve in Odessa, a drone kills a 13-year-old by crashing into his home. In March, a Shahed drone strikes a residential building, killing twelve people, which includes five children. A week later, I was with a friend at the site of the disaster.
A portion of the nine-story building is demolished. On the wall of a living quarter, a large portrait of a woman and a baby still remains. While we stand in front of the house, inquiring about the occupants, a young man in his twenties approaches us. "This woman is my wife, and that baby is my four-month-old son Timophey. They are gone now," he says. We are moved to tears, and all we can do is offer our condolences and ensure he receives help from the authorities and aid organizations.
Citizens Against Drones
Air defense is a matter of life and death. This family could have survived if we had more advanced air defense. However, there is a significant shortage, and anti-air missiles are costly. Local drone defense teams, therefore, opt for machine guns. The only thing preventing the lethal Shahed drones from attacking is the bravery of people who shoot them down. I spent a few nights with a volunteer unit that targets aerial death machines.
The team comprises eleven members who work in shifts under the command of a soldier with battlefield experience from various conflict zones, codenamed "The Handsome One". Shahed drones are challenging to eliminate due to modifications and black paint. "Most attacks happen at night, and locating these drones is as difficult as spotting a black cat against a black backdrop," the commander explains.
This defensive unit's main duty revolves around waiting and training, but when the alert goes off, they're prepared for anything to defend their city. "We know what to do. We've been working together since the start of the Russian invasion, and we've helped police and military patrol the city, search for Russian spies, and maintain order," says another team member, codenamed "Captain". The first drone attacks started in September 2022 with the assault on Odessa. The volunteer unit has been battling the Shaheds since November 2023.
No Greater Reward
The members of the drone defense unit find no greater reward than knowing they're safeguarding their city and saving lives. They are the last line of defense against the persistent Iranian drones that indiscriminately unleash death on peaceful Ukrainian towns and cities. They are the unrecognized heroes, the protectors, the guardians of the skies. And they'll continue to fight, day and night, to keep their people secure.
In the beginning, the sound of the drone's continuous hum worries you. You wonder if it's heading towards you or not.
"When we started combating the drones, everything initially boiled down to mathematics," says "The Handsome One". They've already taken down at least twelve drones.
The men procure their protective gear themselves and bear the fuel expenses from their earnings. Most team members hold regular jobs and don't receive any payment for their involvement in the volunteer militia. Their remuneration comes in the form of something else: "There's nothing better than that," says "The Handsome One". "If we had more such units and more air defense, we could protect our children and families better," adds "Sailor".
The following day, "The Handsome One" enjoys a stroll with his children through the city. "I see other children and mothers and am happy because I know that we've shot down the drone that was flying in this direction. I'm glad we protected the children."
Translated by Sabine Oelmann
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