Alberta man returns from Ukraine, converts Russian weapons into cash for drones | Globalnews.ca

Yevgen Mykhaylichenko is an professional in utilizing drones for conventional and autonomous farming at Olds School in Alberta, however because the conflict began in Ukraine, the Airdrie man has made seven journeys again to his homeland to ship drones and train troopers learn how to use them.

“Its arduous once you come to the brigades and also you understand that among the guys whom you visited earlier than are killed. I simply chatted with him just a few days in the past and he was alive,” Mykhaylichenko mentioned.

He mentioned Ukrainian troopers are preventing arduous however many are drained, not having been capable of get a break.

“Particularly if it’s a 20-year-old man —  similar to a youngster. He has seen quite a lot of useless our bodies of his buddies and wishes assist,” Mykhaylichenko mentioned.

The drones introduced from Alberta have delivered first support, meals and water to Ukrainian troopers stranded for days within the gray zone.

“The drone dropped medication and water for the fellows from 10 Brigade who have been misplaced for six days they usually couldn’t discover their method again dwelling. The drone helped them to do that. It dropped water and a discover to say, ‘Comply with the drone and we’ll observe you out.’ It saved their lives,” Mykhaylichenko mentioned.

“Even a easy binocular or night time imaginative and prescient digital camera can save just a few lives and the identical with drones.”

Mykhaylichenko realized that he wanted a brand new solution to increase funds. So he began providing hands-on drone demonstrations, together with at an occasion in Sylvan Lake final week.

“Some individuals got here nearer to the distant management and began working the drone. A few of them it wasn’t the primary time, however that they had by no means identified that the drone could possibly be so efficient on the entrance line, particularly with saving human lives. We confirmed individuals how this easy drone, which value $2,500 for instance, can save human lives,” Mykhaylichenko mentioned.

He’s additionally promoting key chains produced from bits of Russian rockets that landed on Ukrainian soil, changing Russian weapons into cash for drones.  He factors to 1 that was from Bakhmut, which has data engraved on it just like the date and the GPS coordinates from the place it was discovered.

Having a private connection has been vital for donors, whether or not by means of key chains or flags introduced again from the entrance line.

For me, personally, it was all about making a private connection,” mentioned Robert Saik who has been donating because the conflict began and hosted a fundraiser in Sylvan Lake lately.

“Realizing that the drones that we purchased have been going to be delivered on to the entrance line and getting a flag again from people who find themselves receiving them was very heartwarming,” Saik mentioned.

“The chilling half, the sobering a part of these flags are that a number of of these signatures don’t exist anymore. The individuals who signed these flags are useless now,” he mentioned.

Because the conflict began Mykhaylichenko mentioned he has delivered round 140 drones to Ukraine. Donation to his efforts will be made here.

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