Ukraine is building an advanced army of drones. For now, pilots improvise with duct tape and bombs

By SAMYA KULLAB
Associated Press

LUHANSK REGION, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian government wants to spend more than $1 billion to build an army of drones. Drones are cost-effective when compared with conventional weapons, and put fewer lives at risk as a grueling counteroffensive grinds on. Drones are also more precise than traditional artillery — which is in short supply — and can deliver real-time mapping of the battlefield, in addition to destroying tanks and ships. The Associated Press spent a day with a Ukrainian drone unit and saw how its pilots improvised on the front line — sometimes with duct tape — to try to outsmart a Russian enemy that is quick to learn and adapt.