Amazing Drones: How a Ukrainian Startup Builds Combat Drones for the Front Lines

In an interview with Czech Television journalist Viktorie Cerkunyk, Amazing Drones founder Maksym Klymenko shared the reality of drone manufacturing in Ukraine — from production processes and challenges to the frontline drones his company supplies to the military.

Russia Has Numbers — But Ukraine Leads in Innovation

According to Maksym, Russia currently holds a numerical advantage in drone production. This is largely due to its centralized administrative system, where a top-down directive can quickly scale mass production.

However, Ukraine was the pioneer in deploying drones on the battlefield. Long before Russian forces adopted them, Ukrainian troops were already using consumer drones like the DJI Mavic 3. Ukraine was also the first to militarize FPV drones — originally hobbyist racing devices. Russia only later adopted this tactic.

Production Model: One Drone — One Person

Amazing Drones operates as a small-scale, hands-on manufacturing startup. Each drone is built almost entirely by a single technician — from soldering to final assembly.

“One person can build two drones per day. If they stay late — three.”

This is essentially manual production, prioritizing quality over volume.

Drone Lineup & Flagship Model: Hummel

The company specializes in FPV (First-Person View) drones, where the pilot sees through the drone’s eyes using FPV goggles — allowing for highly accurate control even in complex environments.

“It would be a cool hobby… if not for the war.”

Their flagship model is the Hummel, a reusable bomb-dropping FPV drone. Built with high-quality branded components, it’s praised for its reliability, stable flight, and combat effectiveness.

“This is the drone I’m most proud of. It’s just really good.”

How Many Drones Are Built in Ukraine?

At a drone expo in Kharkiv, it was reported that over 60 companies are producing FPV drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. If we consider the broader UAV category (including fixed-wing aircraft, loitering munitions, and cruise drones), that number rises to over 200 manufacturers.

However, according to Maksym, the key isn’t just the number of companies — it’s scale and resources. Most of these players are small workshops without the capacity for high-volume (thousands of units) serial production.

Who Funds the Production?

At this stage, Amazing Drones is self-funded. The company has not yet received any state or major investment support.

“We’re basically a low-tech startup. Everything we do — we do with our own money.”

Import or Local Manufacturing?

After the full-scale invasion, Ukraine actively imported Chinese agricultural drones — large multi-rotor UAVs capable of carrying heavy explosives. But since September, China has imposed export controls on all drones, creating a risk for Ukrainian procurement.

“It’s a worrying trend. They could ban drone exports to Ukraine entirely.”

Costs & Production Volumes

As of July, the cost of one drone from Amazing Drones was around 24,000 UAH (approx. $650 at the time). However, prices fluctuate depending on the exchange rate and global component markets.

“We’re almost entirely dependent on imported parts. And we’re not the only ones hunting for them — our enemies are too.”

Amazing Drones exemplifies how technology, human dedication, and resolve can create tangible battlefield impact. Even without external financing, this small Ukrainian team continues to deliver results — supporting troops and reshaping the dynamics of modern warfare.