Prytuli Foundation hands over 190 Sokil reconnaissance drones to nine Defence Forces units

Supply of equipment for reconnaissance in jamming conditions

The Sergiy Prytuli Foundation has completed the handover of 190 Sokil model reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles to nine units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. The total value of the supplied equipment was UAH 50.8 million. The primary purpose of these drones is to carry out missions at tactical and operational depth. Design features and navigation systems allow the aircraft to function effectively in conditions of active electronic warfare, particularly when the GPS signal is absent. Launch is carried out manually.

The role of drones in modern combat

Using the "Sokils", the military conduct aerial reconnaissance, detect targets, and track enemy movements. The data obtained is used for fire correction and planning further combat operations.

The commander of the reconnaissance platoon of the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade, callsign "Barbaris", emphasised the importance of such equipment:

"У сучасній війні розвідувальні БпЛА — один із ключових засобів отримання інформації про противника. Вони дають змогу спостерігати за великими ділянками території в режимі реального часу, оперативно передавати дані про зміни та швидше ухвалювати рішення. Універсальних безпілотників, які могли б виконувати всі завдання, не існує: одні використовують для загальної розвідки чи створення ортофотопланів, інші — для спостереження, контролю результатів ураження чи супроводу своїх груп. Тому кожен отриманий розвідувальний БпЛА — це додаткова можливість для підрозділу виконувати свої завдання та своєчасно коригувати подальші дії" (In modern warfare, reconnaissance UAVs are one of the key means of obtaining information about the enemy. They allow monitoring large areas of territory in real time, promptly transmitting data on changes, and making decisions faster. There are no universal drones that can perform all tasks: some are used for general reconnaissance or creating orthophotoplans, others for observation, controlling the results of strikes, or accompanying their own groups. Therefore, each received reconnaissance UAV is an additional opportunity for the unit to carry out its tasks and promptly correct further actions), — noted "Barbaris", commander of the reconnaissance platoon of the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade.

List of equipment recipients

The drones were distributed among the following military units:

• Command of the 1st Corps of the National Guard "Azov";
• 79th, 80th, 82nd, and 95th Separate Airborne Assault Brigades;
• 3rd Separate Operational Purpose Detachment;
• 421st Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion;
• 132nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion;
• 228th Separate Material Support Battalion.

New charity project for the Airborne Assault Troops

Demand for reconnaissance drones for target detection and fire correction remains high. Since five of the nine equipment recipients are airborne assault brigades, the Sergiy Prytuli Foundation, together with the WOG petrol station network, initiated a joint fundraising campaign titled "WOG FIRE OF HELP. 'Reconnaissers' for the Airborne Assault Troops".

The target amount for the collection is UAH 8.5 million, which will be directed towards the purchase of additional "Sokils" for the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Citizens can support the initiative by buying coffee at WOG petrol stations or making a direct donation to the collection account.

Foundation activities since 2020

The Sergiy Prytuli Foundation, established in 2020, is one of the largest charitable organisations in Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the organisation has raised over UAH 14 billion to support the Defence Forces. These funds were used to implement hundreds of projects, including the purchase of air defence systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, armoured vehicles, communication equipment, and medical equipment. In addition to military support, the Foundation provides humanitarian aid to civilians and implements training programmes.