Victor Taran, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, heads the training center for UAV operators "Kruk". Taran explains that the decision to establish the center was made on April 5, 2022: after the successful defense of the Kyiv region, in which Taran’s students were among the first to actively participate, he was tasked with creating and preparing a training base for defense forces to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in combat zones. Today, his center collaborates with the "Army of Drones" project and the Armed Forces.
We asked Taran about the opportunities the profession of a drone operator offers today in the Armed Forces and civilian life. Why does he see it as a profession of the future? And is it really that easy to blow up an enemy tank using just a "Mavic"?
“We started this journey together with Anton Frolov and Andrii Hnatush, with whom we completed relevant training at the 125th Brigade base in Lviv at the Yavoriv training ground,” says Victor Taran, the head of the "Kruk" center. “Creating a training center within the Armed Forces of Ukraine is technically very difficult due to numerous bureaucratic obstacles. To train defense forces, the decision was made to use the element of voluntary territorial community formations (VTCF) and to establish a training center for volunteer territorial defense units (VTDU), focusing on areas such as tactics, medicine, and demining, headed by Oleksandr Hrab and Hennadiy Sintsov.”
The "Kruk" center has grown into a large independent unit with its own training facilities. Over the year, we managed to build a comprehensive training process with a team of 20 trainers in three areas: "Multicopter," FPV, and "Wing." We have two computer labs and a unique training methodology incorporating innovations. This methodology is constantly evolving because the situation on the front lines is dynamic.
To date, we have trained over 1,600 cadets. In the "Army of Drones" project, every eighth cadet has been trained by our instructors.
The story is simple. When the full-scale invasion began, everyone came together to defend the country: political scientists, IT specialists, locksmiths, and university professors—all went to fight. As the song by Tartak goes:
When war breaks into your door,
Words and seals on paper won’t protect you.
You have to go, take up arms
And defend your right to live in the crucible of battle...
When war comes to your home, you must take up arms to defend it. But it is most effective to use the weapons you know, can operate, and have access to. During the first weeks of the war, when competencies like artillery spotters were lacking, we found ourselves with effective artillery and strike capabilities but no idea where the enemy was. Many people from creative professions who joined the fight early brought drones and immediately started using them in combat. It became clear that drones are highly effective, but the problem was that experienced users had drones that lasted, while beginners’ drones lasted only two or three minutes on average. For example, the forests around Kyiv are littered with "dead" drones for various reasons, mainly because people didn’t know how to operate them. It’s genuinely difficult—I personally trained daily for two weeks.
As soon as the enemy retreated from Kyiv at the end of March, we transitioned from active combat to reserve formation and training. Kyiv became one of the cities where reserves and training centers were established, including UAV operation centers. Our school became one of these centers. Currently, the "Army of Drones" has verified 25 schools, 16 of which are actively operating. Is this a lot? Compared to the zero we had a year ago, it’s significant. But is it enough? No, it’s not. I believe we need more.
The first thing you need to do is wake up with the desire to dedicate at least a week, preferably two, to this endeavor. Once you commit, you must continuously practice and train. Even flying in your backyard or in a field is necessary. If you take a five-day course and then set aside the drone, you’ll lose your motor skills in two to three weeks. You must understand that this is serious and long-term.
Next, you need to choose a convenient location for your training. There are schools in Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, Poltava, and Zaporizhzhia. You can choose based on location or by the schools’ reputations. Google is your friend; you can find everything there.
Once you’ve decided, contact the school and submit an application. If you’re a military personnel, you’ll most likely be trained for free, which is the case at most schools. If you’re a civilian, you’ll first need to go through a verification process, with counterintelligence checking your documents. Second, each school sets a certain charitable contribution that you must make to support its development. Why? Civilians’ charitable contributions enable schools to operate and provide free training to military personnel. As Margaret Thatcher once said: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” If something is free, someone has paid for it.
Depending on your motivation, you may choose to mobilize and join the army, where you’ll likely have the chance to work in aerial reconnaissance. Defense Minister Reznikov has stated that the Armed Forces need over 10,000 drone operators to meet their requirements. If you join the defense forces, you’ll be assigned to a specific unit. I intentionally avoid using the word “elite” because, while it is a privilege to be an aerial reconnaissance operator, it also makes you a priority target for the enemy. This role comes with challenges, and individuals must weigh the pros and cons.
In the Armed Forces, your acquired skills will undoubtedly be valued, especially if you’ve trained in specialized courses like FPV or “Wing.” FPV refers to First Person View drones that require special goggles for operation. “Wing” drones are tactical-level devices that can fly 15 kilometers or more—25, 30, or even 50 kilometers. These include gasoline-powered drones, such as the Russian "Orlan" and "Shahed," as well as Ukrainian models like "Valkyrie," "Furia," and "Shmily." There are many interesting options, and you’ll find the one that suits you best.
However, remember that being an aerial reconnaissance operator, while it sounds romantic, comes with significant challenges. For example, our trainees have conducted adjustments in the Kherson direction, in Kharkiv in September, and in Bakhmut. It’s a job with real stakes.
If your goal is to gain a new profession that can be applied in civilian life, remember that drone operators can use their skills in 14 different fields. These include architecture, construction, energy, geology, archaeology, and, of course, videography, ranging from music videos to films. For instance, we helped shoot music videos for bands like Ukie'z and Kozak System. For the latter, we filmed the video for the song "Molfar".
Drone operators are also involved in filmmaking. For example, one of our operators contributed to the film "Shchedryk vs. 'Russkiy Mir'," where drones were used to film in Paris and other cities. The agricultural sector also offers a wide range of drone applications. Additionally, demining is an increasingly important area, as Ukraine now has the most heavily mined territory in Europe. After the victory, demining will be crucial, and drones are far safer than manual efforts. Moreover, there are many related professions where drone skills are beneficial. For example, drone operations often involve specialized software that can be reprogrammed, opening opportunities in the cybersecurity field.
Ultimately, becoming a drone operator provides a broad spectrum of knowledge that can be applied after the war. Looking at global trends, such as Amazon’s delivery initiatives, it’s clear that drone operation is undoubtedly a profession of the future.
While DJI Mavics are currently the most common, there are many other types of drones used for training. Our basic courses focus on DJI multicopters, but we must prepare for potential risks, such as China disabling Mavics with a single command. That’s why we train operators on other types of drones. Here are some of the multicopters we train with:
The basic multicopter course includes three to five days of practical training, along with a theoretical course of video lectures requiring an additional three days. FPV courses last two weeks, while the “Wing” course spans three weeks.
Charitable contribution costs for civilians (after SBU verification):
For military personnel and VTCF members (with a recommendation from their commander):
The state recognizes the importance of our work and has focused attention on it. While there is room for criticism of the Ministry of Defense, they have also made some commendable decisions. For example, they recently simplified licensing for "Wing"-type drones produced by Ukrainian developers, removing some of the certification documentation requirements. This has allowed over 10 new, affordable, and effective drones to be approved for military use. This is a positive step, and the state deserves credit for it.
I hope we can establish a comprehensive collaboration within the triangle of the "Army of Drones," the General Staff, and our school to develop training and preparation based on a shared vision. The General Staff is the primary client for our services, we are the executors, and the "Army of Drones" should act as the recipient.
The "Army of Drones" project committed to training 10,000 operators. By the end of March, 8,000 had been trained, and by the end of June, the required number will be reached. Then the question arises: what’s next? Will we be able to continue providing free training to military personnel? Who will fund it? I’m not afraid to use the term “state order.” It’s necessary. We’re not criticizing; we’re suggesting improvements. [laughs]
Drone operation is not just a wartime necessity but also a promising civilian profession. With diverse applications across industries such as construction, agriculture, energy, and filmmaking, the skills gained during training will remain relevant long after the war ends. As drone technology continues to evolve, so will the opportunities for operators in both military and civilian contexts.
Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen partnerships and expand our training capabilities to meet the growing demand for skilled operators. The journey to becoming a drone operator requires dedication and practice, but the rewards—in both impact and opportunities—make it a worthwhile endeavor.
