Ukrainian drone firm attacked by Russia – so it opens a factory in the UK instead

Ukrainian drones have decimated the Russian army, targeting men and equipment despite their best efforts to hide.

One of the ways the Ukrainians are finding them is with drones like the Shark-M, which can loiter for seven hours and has a range of 110 miles.

It's made by Ukrainian firm Ukrspecsystems, which is one of the country's largest manufacturers of uncrewed aerial vehicles.

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Shark-M in Mildenhall

Now, that technology is coming to Britain, with the firm opening its first UK factory at Mildenhall in Suffolk.

Why come here? Last August the Russians published a video which they said depicted a strike on Ukrspecsystems offices in Kyiv.

By moving production overseas, this firm – and other Ukrainian companies – can ensure production isn't interrupted.

The guest of honour at the opening of the Mildenhall facility was General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's former commander-in-chief who is now its ambassador to the UK.

Spotting the enemy

As well as the Shark-M, the company produces a smaller, hand-launched drone called the Shark Mini, while its flagship drone can be used for reconnaissance, cargo deliveries and even search and rescue missions.

These drones don't just hunt for Russian equipment – they recognise it.

Using footage from Ukraine, the Shark's AI brain can be taught what certain Russian vehicles or weaponry look like, from tanks to air defence systems.