Olena Kryzhanivska

Russia's Arms Trends: drone incursions and Zapad exercises Key developments of September, 2025

In the new edition of my digest Russia’s Arms Trends:
❗ Russian Drone Incursions in Europe;
❗ Zapad-2025 Military Exercise;
❗ Moscow Adapts Its Ballistic Missiles to Evade Ukraine’s Air Defences;
❗ and 20+ additional developments in Russia.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/russias-ar...

Ukraine’s Pursuit of Drone Autonomy: NORDA Dynamics Solutions for drones operating in GPS-Denied and EW environments

I prepare weekly reports on defence tech developments in Ukraine, and this one focuses on autonomous technologies. Give it a read:

ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/towards-gr...

Thank you so much!

For those who don’t know: I have a newsletter on Substack focusing on defence tech in Ukraine. If you get a paid subscription, you can drop me a note specifying that you’d like the money to go towards the fundraising.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com

Thank you!

Support my university friend in Ukraine's Armed Forces On my 34th birthday, I am launching a new fundraising campaign to raise $3,400 for the fiber-optic equipment for the military unit of my university friend, Vasyl, whom many of you know from my previou...

Today is my 34th birthday! And I’m using this opportunity to launch a new fundraising campaign to raise $3,400 for the fiber-optic equipment for the unit of my university friend, Vasyl serving in Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
PayPal: www.paypal.com/pools/c/9iIm...

I joined Arthur Snell, an Associate Fellow at RUSI and former UK diplomat, on the popular geopolitics podcast Behind the Lines.

I had a great conversation with @olenakr.bsky.social about defense and how Ukrainians can build racial solidarity with Black peoples around the world. Check out our full conversation on Substack at Terrell J Starr Official.

My fundraiser ended yesterday. I’ve collected 2,055 CAD through PayPal, 850 CAD to my Canadian bank account, and an additional 1,000 EUR to my Ukrainian account. I’ve initiated the process of transferring all the funds to my friend Vasyl in Ukraine to purchase the equipment his unit needs.

Please email me elena91kr@gmail.com

Just received the largest donation so far - $1,100 USD for a drone for my university friend Vasyl—from someone I connected with through Bluesky. Here is a final call for donations. WISE or e-transfers to my Ukrainian, Canadian or Turkish accounts are also possible.
www.paypal.com/pools/c/9flF...

Thank you, got it! The largest donation so far)

I’ve just received a donation, which, I believe, was from you. Thank you so much for your support!

Drone warfare in Ukraine: Mavic 3 alternatives, Shahed threats, and interceptor UAVs Three key stories of the week: June 11 - 18, 2025.

Shahed drones continue to make headlines, especially over the past week, as they are now being deployed in the context of two active wars. Read more in my newsletter:
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/drone-warf...

I’d recommend considering the battalions and regiments working with drones. In particular, the five units involved in the Line of Drones project — they have an excellent reputation and are currently hiring a lot of people. However, I’m not sure how they integrate foreigners into their operations.

Thank you!

I didn’t initially clarify that I was fundraising for a Mavic 3 — the best option available. But I’ll look into other options as well.

The one I was initially fundraising for was the Mavic 3 — the best option (and expensive one). But today I’ll discuss the other available models. I believe there are some locally made drones as well. In the end, it’ll depend on what the volunteers can get for the amount I’ve collected.

No, I just lowered the target. Given the current pace of donations, I don't think I'll realistically be able to raise enough for the night-vision drone (which costs $6.5K). But the daytime drone seems like a more achievable goal.

Wow thank you

Thank you so much!

Drone for my university friend Vasyl The impressive results Ukraine achieves on the battlefield require financial resources.
My university friend Vasyl has been serving in the military since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. His ...

Today is Russia’s national day! To mark the occasion, please consider donating for a drone for my university friend, who has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the past three years—so that all Russians in his direction can enjoy some fireworks.

PayPal: www.paypal.com/pools/c/9flF...

I’ve received it, thank you.

Thank you for sharing this! ❤️

They will be paying in UAH. I however did not take this into consideration, and now can’t change the currency of existing campaign. But if you know better ways of organizing these campaigns for international audience, pls let me know.

For SWIFT transfers in UAH:
Recipient:
KRYZHANIVSKA OLENA

IBAN
UA023052990262056400972218537

BANK OF BENEFICIARY (Банк одержувача)
Bank
JSC CB PRIVATBANK, 1D HRUSHEVSKOHO STR., KYIV, 01001, UKRAINE

SWIFT CODE/BIC
PBANUA2X

Drone for my university friend Vasyl The impressive results Ukraine achieves on the battlefield require financial resources.
My university friend Vasyl has been serving in the military since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. His ...

Night vision drones save lives!I’ve started a PayPal fundraiser to collect around 6.000 USD for a night-vision drone for my friend Vasyl currently serving in an infantry unit. Please, contribute if you can.
www.paypal.com/pools/c/9flF...

Drone warfare in Ukraine: Alligator naval drones, Shahed interceptors and "Night Witches" Three key stories of the week: Apr. 9 - Apr. 15, 2025

Ukraine’s air defenses remain a major point of tension, as the shortage of American-made Patriot systems has pushed Ukrainian innovators to develop new solutions, such as interceptor drones capable of taking down Russian UAVs. 
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/drone-warf...

Russia's Arms Trends: military partnerships, exports, and tanks Three main stories of March 2025.

In the March overview of military trends in Russia, I argue that support from its allies is instrumental in sustaining Russia’s war efforts. For example, Belarus has between 300 and 500 enterprises producing a full range of weaponry and ammunition.
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/russias-ar...

Arms Trends in Ukraine: 17 Mar. - 23 Mar. 2025 The latest developments in Ukraine's defence production, arms transfers, and on the battlefield.

Last week, Ukraine-US-Russia talks on a possible ceasefire continued, as well as ongoing Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Read more in my Arms Trends in Ukraine newsletter
ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/arms-trend...