An entrepreneur’s journey to leading one of Ukraine’s deadliest drone units

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, 37-year-old Heorhii Volkov was a successful entrepreneur, running both a business management consultancy and a digital marketing firm. He enjoyed organizing electronic music parties, attending cultural events and playing various sports in his hometown of Dnipro. Always on the lookout for business opportunities, Volkov constantly tinkered with new ideas. But when the enemy came to Ukraine’s doorstep, he knew he couldn’t just stand by. He had to act.

“When the full-scale war started, I wasn’t a military man, nor was I Rambo with an AK-47,” Volkov recalled. “But I knew I had to do something to fight Russian evil.”

The war begins

The day after the invasion, chaos and panic spread across Ukraine. No one knew what the coming weeks would bring. While many rushed to join the army or resistance forces, others prepared Molotov cocktails in Dnipro, fearing the enemy could breach the city with a landing operation like the Russians were trying in Hostomel. Volkov, too, was determined to contribute in any way he could. Then, he remembered a friend who had once filmed a video commercial for him using a drone.

“I called him and said, ‘Get your drone. We’re going to patrol Dnipro and make sure nothing bad is happening—like looting,’” Volkov said.

He began reaching out to other friends, asking who else had a drone. Half a day later, Volkov assembled a group of 8 operators and 8 drivers to fly surveillance drones around the city. Within a week, he had built a volunteer team and created a Telegram group with over 100 members. He decided to name the group Yasni Ochi, which means “Clear Eyes” in Ukrainian—a name that would eventually carry into battle as the moniker for one of Ukraine’s most effective drone units.

Yasni Ochi functioned like an “Uber for drones,” Volkov explained. “If the police needed drone surveillance in a certain area, we would dispatch someone to fly to those coordinates and patrol the zone.” Volkov approached the police, seeking to formalize the group’s operations. The authorities told him they couldn’t offer legal support but encouraged the group to continue their efforts informally. It was through a mutual friend that Volkov connected with a soldier fighting on the front lines in the early days of the war.

“He asked me if I wanted to get involved and engage more seriously with drone warfare to inflict damage on the enemy,” Volkov said. That invitation took him to the front lines, where he learned firsthand about the role drones would play in the future of warfare.

From volunteers to frontline soldiers

Volkov posted in the Telegram channel, “I’m preparing to leave for the front—who’s coming with me?” A few brave volunteers responded, and together they went to the front lines. However, Volkov quickly realized that a few hours at the front wasn’t enough. He invited the soldier who had trained them to return to Dnipro and spend more time teaching others about drones.

“I reached out to a project manager who used to work for my digital agency,” Volkov said. “The next time we held a training session, I had her document everything—taking detailed notes on drone operations.” With her help, Volkov and his team developed a comprehensive course on drone warfare.

In March 2022, the group headed to the front lines in southern Ukraine. At the time, none of the soldiers had Starlinks for connectivity, and there was no real-time video feed from the drones, Volkov noted.

Many Ukrainian soldiers had only a basic understanding of how to use drones. “We approached them as fellow partisans,” he explained. “It was the combination of the technical knowledge of drone enthusiasts with the methodical experience of a seasoned serviceman who had been using drones against the occupiers in the ATO [Anti-Terrorist Operation) for years that gave this initiative its start. And it was then that I came up with the idea that we should create a detailed guide on this topic.”

Initially, Volkov and his team were unpaid volunteers, using their own money and resources. But over time, their expertise and dedication caught the attention of the military. The group of drone hobbyists and enthusiasts was eventually integrated into the Ukrainian army as part of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade as they were recruited to build out a new drone unit.

Volkov went from unit to unit within the brigade, recruiting soldiers who were eager to join the newly formed drone unit, building a strong team from the ground up.

Leading on the frontlines

By the summer of 2023, Volkov’s drone unit, Yasni Ochi, was playing an important role in Ukraine’s counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Andriy, known by his callsign “Steppe” in homage to the sweeping plains of Donetsk Oblast where he’s from, recalled the battle for Robotyne as the worst hell he had ever experienced. “It was hell. I get goosebumps when I think about it—artillery, drones, glide bombs. It was the worst. All of our heavy armor was burning. Every day, I thought it would be my last.”

“We were a new brigade, with limited resources and little preparation,” Volkov explained. “Leadership didn’t expect us to be effective, but we became one of the most effective units during the 2023 counteroffensive.”

After Zaporizhzhia, Yashni Ochi was sent to help defend against the Russian offensive around Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast. Vitaliy, a drone pilot known by his call sign “Gendalf,” said that the Russians relentlessly bombarded their positions with an endless barrage of glide bombs in Avdiivka.

When the unit was moved to the Avdiivka sector, Volkov stated that his 150-strong unit suffered minimal losses, losing just one soldier. In contrast, their strike drones inflicted significant damage, reportedly killing or wounding 1,500 Russian soldiers. After the fall of Avdiivka, the unit fought in Kharkiv Oblast. But for the last few months, Yasni Ochi was redirected to hold the Chasiv Yar front, which witnessed some of the most destructive fighting of the war.

From marketing to drone unit leader

Like many in Ukraine’s army today, Volkov had no prior military experience. However, his background in business and marketing has been instrumental in his role as a drone unit leader. He has worked tirelessly to streamline operations within his group, focusing on efficiency. Back at base, his team strives to eliminate as much of the old Soviet bureaucracy as possible.

Instead of relying on outdated paper methods, Volkov made sure to digitize everything possible. The unit uses online software to log and share the coordinates of enemy positions in real-time, allowing for faster communication and decision-making. Volkov continually makes suggestions on how to improve work with more digital and modern methods, moving away from the time-consuming Soviet habit of endless paperwork, arguing that it takes valuable time away from battle readiness.

“We are smart and highly motivated,” Volkov said. His team is always looking for new methods and innovations to improve their operations. Analytics play a crucial role for Yasni Ochi—they gather extensive data from their drones and analyze it to make data-driven improvements wherever needed. Volkov credits much of his unit’s success to his professional background, which has shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving working on modern business problems.

Despite the intensity of war, Volkov’s passion for music remains. As we traveled together to check on his men at various bases near the front, he eagerly shared some of his favorite electronic tracks. “I’d love to organize peaceful electronic parties again once the war is over instead of being involved in combat operations,” he said with a smile.

Now, Volkov rarely sleeps and often works over 20 hours a day overseeing combat operations at the HQ. While we sat down to do an interview, Volkov kept rubbing his eyes throughout, “Sorry I need to keep rubbing my eyes, I rarely sleep anymore,” he said.

While I was embedded with members of his unit on the front on various night bombing missions with drones, Volkov was in contact with me throughout the night and during the day when I was at night. It seemed like he never slept. Every few minutes, Volkov is either recording voice messages to send various commands or on phone calls attempting to ensure everything is running smoothly. He is constantly worried and thinking about his soldiers, to ensure that they have everything they need in battle.

Every decision Volkov makes could mean the difference between life and death for his men. That’s why he often clashes with senior commanders to ensure the best outcomes for his unit. “I go to the higher-ups and commanders and fight for my guys,” Volkov said.

Never enough resources

Like most Ukrainian units, Yasni Ochi always lacks equipment and supplies due to the intensity and scale of the war with Russia. Volkov reflected on the constant struggle of never having enough resources, from drones to fuel to vehicles, which are commonly sourced by the soldiers themselves or by volunteers who crowdfund the money.

“There was never a point where we had everything we needed,” he said. Even with the help from the army and volunteers, it’s never enough for the demands of our operations. It is very difficult to keep people’s motivation high with the constant lack of resources.”

This would be analogous to Western soldiers using their paychecks to buy commercially-available weapons in order to fight the axis powers during WW2.

He explained that Ukrainian soldiers don’t go to war for money, but the reality is different for a father with a wife and two kids. “If his child is sick, he needs money, but if he’s away from his family, not only is he not supporting them, he’s also spending his own money to buy supplies.”

Although soldiers serving on the frontline make more than the average salary in Ukraine, they often spend most of their money on military equipment, including drones and their components, in Yasni Ochi’s case. Because of this, the soldiers’ families back home often struggle, especially if some family members fall ill and require support.

Even when Western partners provide aid, it’s just enough for them to survive according to Volkov. “We pool our resources to buy technical supplies and save our lives because we wouldn’t be able to complete our mission. What is money compared to a human life? There will always be money tomorrow, and we’ll somehow find people to help us.”

Volkov admitted that, before the war, he had never asked people for money, but now, it’s a daily task: “I ask people every day to donate to our unit.”

He explained the complexities behind what many see as simple drone strikes on their social media feeds. “It looks easy when you watch FPV drones blowing something up—you’re only seeing the best moments,” he said. “It’s like watching the Champions League highlights; you only see the goals. What you don’t see is all the training, preparations, team coordination, logistics, and even the bureaucratic paperwork that goes into each operation to make it effective.”

He proudly added, “My boys are all aces; they’re very motivated.” Volkov emphasized how difficult it is to fly a drone in challenging environments, such as navigating between trees, where the drone connection is also unstable and the drone pilots rely on quick reflexes. “The most important thing is that we work for the infantry—to protect them,” he said.

Volkov pointed out that since the brigade is young and the PR department is just gaining momentum, they are currently unable to secure enough resources to adequately support their unit. The soldiers are focused on fighting and lack the resources to manage their social media channels properly.

This, he explained, is critical because the more content they produce—such as videos showing their drones destroying Russian heavy armor and soldiers—the more attention they attract on social media. Engaging, shareable content leads to more followers, and with that, an increase in donations that are vital to sustaining their efforts.

“Natural leader”

Ukraine’s army is plagued with bad commanders. In fact, the fear of ending up subordinated to a Soviet-style boss who doesn’t blink when sending a company to its pointless death was found to be the #5 reason for fearing mobilization. But the damage of hardheaded old-school commanders does not stop there. It obstructs progress by creating an atmosphere where subordinates are afraid to report problems, which ultimately do not get addressed.

Volkov tries to be different, building something akin to an elite unit. First, he headhunted, as he says, “the most motivated soldiers who wanted to kill the enemy.” He then maintains friendly relations with them, which allows them to speak their minds. That way, problems get addressed sooner and better. This atmosphere of high performance attracts other motivated soldiers, and the virtuous cycle gets reinforced.  

“The guys fully trust Heorhii. He’s earned that trust,” says one of Yasni Ochi’s soldiers Anton, callsign “Hooligan,” describing Volkov as a “natural leader.” 

However, this approach is not without controversy. Volkov’s ability to headhunt specific types of soldiers gives him greater control over the unit, though it also runs the risk of surrounding himself with “yes men.”

Throughout the last few years, Volkov has said they’ve constantly had soldiers trying to transfer to their group: demand was always high as the group had a strong reputation. Yasni Ochi always had decent supplies thanks to close partnerships with different volunteer organizations, as well as being one of the first to receive resources from the brigade’s leadership due to the effectiveness of their work.

However, it has now become increasingly difficult to find highly motivated soldiers, a consequence of the heavy attrition Ukraine has suffered throughout the war. One day, while we were having lunch, Volkov received a message that five soldiers from another drone unit in the brigade had been killed during a mission. He stared at his phone for a few moments before taking a deep breath—each loss of Ukrainian soldiers weighs heavily on him, a burden that never gets easier to bear.

Nothing can guarantee survival

The burden of war weighs heavily on Volkov. He rarely sleeps, often working 20-hour days “Sometimes I think about leaving,” he admitted, “but if people like me leave, the enemy will come to my home.”

Does he ever consider leaving the army? Sometimes the thoughts come, but they are fleeting: “If someone like me steps away, then the enemy will reach my home.” Russia, he says, won’t stop:

“They’ll keep coming until they conquer everything and dictate how we must live our lives.
Russia is an imperialist, authoritarian power. Their government will always wage war to distract the Russian people from the issues in their own country. Look at Chechnya, Georgia, and so on.”

Volkov’s commitment and motivation is deeply influenced by his mother, who has been a volunteer since the start of Russia’s war in 2014. She actively supports refugees, especially children affected by the war, and helps supply the Ukrainian army. Her dedication has made a huge impact on Volkov and his unit:

“She gives so much of her own money and always finds ways to pool resources from others to help us. I often tell her, ‘Mom, our unit is so grateful for everything you do.’”

But the emotional toll of war weighs heavily on Volkov. He has now become more sentimental and finds it difficult to talk with civilians.

The drone commander recounted the heart-wrenching experience of his first time informing a mother that her 21-year-old son had died under his command. “She curses you, blesses you, and understands you all at once. It’s something you never forget. It’s hard to live through.”

A soldier can be “educated, technical, and do everything right.” But in war, even precision can’t guarantee survival. “A Grad rocket—those aren’t accurate—but when they hit, they hit everything in the area. The same goes for glide bombs. Nothing will save the soldier at that point,” he points out.

After the war

“I was not born for war,” goes a Ukrainian trope of men aiming to avoid mobilization. Neither was Volkov: despite his talents, he says he is not interested in climbing the army ranks, only in “protecting the lives of my men and killing the enemy.”

When it is all over, he wants to return to what he knows best – doing business, but perhaps with new partners – the boys he met at the front. But before that, a swim in liberated Crimea, occupied by Russia since 2014. 

“But more than anything, I want a family. I want kids. My relationship is hard because I’m at war and can’t give my girlfriend all the attention she deserves. She’s an amazing girl, and I want to be with her,” Volkov shares his ultimate dream. 

He phones and messages her back in Dnipro several times a day, but it is hard to keep the connection alive after two and a half years of war with no end in sight. Will he ever marry her and build a family? Volkov is not sure if he will live to see that dream become reality.

His main message to the West is that Ukraine is running out of time: 

“Listen, people, I pray the hell we’re facing never comes to your lands or your homes. It’s terrifying. We’re dying out here every day. We need fewer words and more action from people in the West. Americans and Europeans could learn from Ukrainians what it means to be brave. We’re using drones to kill people—drones that were once flown by hobbyists, now used to destroy humans. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be.”