A Ukrainian soldier, till lately a drone operator, shared a video earlier this month strolling viewers by the gear he carried with him into battle in opposition to the Russians.
It featured an fascinating mixture of stuff, from drone detectors to weaponry to what he characterised as “tactical Crocs.”
Dimko Zhluktenko, now an analyst with Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, spoke to Enterprise Insider in regards to the objects that he considers key to staying alive, comfy, and as efficient as doable in opposition to Russia. He nonetheless carries lots of the gear with him, though his position has modified.
He picks his gear with nice care, emphasizing that a lot of what he carries was his alternative, not government-issued.
“The stuff that the federal government points generally is nice, however it’s not the perfect match.” He mentioned the army largely trusts troopers to decide on what works greatest for them.
Zhluktenko, who labored in tech earlier than the warfare, mentioned his gear comes from a mixture of state funding, objects he purchased himself, and crowdfunding. He tries to maintain what he carries on his particular person to round 10 kilograms, calling it “a snug quantity of substances that’s nonetheless extraordinarily helpful,” although he can carry extra when wanted.
Dimko Zhluktenko
Fundamental gear for countering superior expertise
This warfare has seen low-tech options fielded in opposition to cutting-edge weapons, resembling wire mesh and cages used to cease superior drones, or wooden decoy tanks designed to idiot costly munitions.
As a drone operator, Zhluktenko carried a pair of scissors to sever the cables of fiber-optic drones that now litter the battlefield as these jamming-resistant drones turn out to be more and more prevalent.
Reducing the cables “turned part of our normal working process” in areas saturated with fiber-optic drones, he mentioned. Items are generally instructed to chop “every” cable they see, simply in case.
Viktor Fridshon/World Photos Ukraine by way of Getty Photos
Zhluktenko mentioned that they do not even fear about good friend or foe considerations. Related responses have been seen with the radio-frequency drones, with soldiers panic-jamming everything no matter who the methods belong to.
Zhluktenko mentioned that he purchased retractors for all his crew so they would not lose their scissors.
He carried an issued firearm — an previous Soviet-designed weapon — which is nice sufficient for his position as a result of he does not function in areas with a lot direct combating.
He mentioned it’s “a lot older than I’m,” however famous that he modified it and “it is not too dangerous.” He changed some inner elements and the handguard, including one from Ukrainian producer Kpyk to enhance grip. He mentioned its major use is concentrating on drones that may’t be stopped in different methods. Gunfights are not the norm on this warfare.
Dimko Zhluktenko
He additionally carried further magazines and a pouch for empty ones.
To enhance dexterity, he wore silicone-grip gloves from the American firm Mechanix Put on, which make it simpler to function drone controllers. The grip offers “further sensitivity” for exact actions and prevents slipping.
He carried a mechanical compass as a result of Russia’s electromagnetic warfare throws off those in his iPhone and Garmin.
And Zhluktenko additionally had sun shades, since recognizing his personal drone in a crowded sky is essential and the “solar is an enormous issue.”
Staying comfy
Zhluktenko had a pair of sneakers he introduced with him that resemble the American-designed footwear Crocs, however his are made by a Ukrainian firm, M-Tac. He mentioned they’re “completely important” as a result of it is not possible to put on fight boots on a regular basis.
He referred to as them “tactical Crocs,” explaining that he solely breaks them out in moments when the menace is low.
When it was time to get to work, he would put on fight boots made by the German firm Lowa. He mentioned he had been utilizing these boots for round 4 years, together with orthopedic insoles. He mentioned that he can put on all of them day with out ache.
Dimko Zhluktenko
He additionally carried hand sanitizer — “you most likely keep in mind these from COVID period, however I nonetheless use them at warfare,” he mentioned, — a multitool that features a knife and spoon to eat with, and a cap to guard him “from extreme solar” within the area.
Expertise for a tech-driven struggle
Zhluktenko mentioned he carried a drone detector, an digital system that scans radio frequencies to detect incoming drones. He mentioned it could actually alert him if a drone is flying towards him and generally present the video feed from the enemy drone, revealing what it’s seeing.
Dimko Zhluktenko
Ukraine has larger methods in place to attempt to warn troopers of incoming drones, however they will generally miss one. Even when they do not get a warning from command posts, “there may be just a few random FPV drone that simply flew in and may harm us.” He defined that these drone detectors are “changing into increasingly more important” and are wanted “ASAP.”
He additionally carried a Motorola radio, a “fundamental” one the place he can speak along with his brothers in arms, and evening imaginative and prescient goggles that he makes use of for nighttime drone launches and landings.
He put a GoPro on his chest so he can rewatch his actions for enhancements, virtually like sports activities groups do with replays.
Zhluktenko additionally has a Ukrainian-made MITLA anti-drone gun, which shoots nets to cease drones flying towards him by snagging their propellers. He mentioned he obtained his lately and has by no means had to make use of it. It is a single-use product that was launched this yr.
And he carried electrical tape “as a result of there may be all the time one thing that you can repair” in terms of his expertise and different gear.
Staying alive
Zhluktenko mentioned that his physique armor is the “most necessary” piece of substances that he carries, no matter his position. He purchased and chosen it himself.
“I did not use no matter the federal government gave to me,” he mentioned. “It wasn’t dangerous, however it wasn’t match.”
He selected a system that enables for in depth customization. He makes use of armor from M-Tac and added elements resembling a weight-distribution system from the Ukrainian firm Balistyka, which attaches to the vest and offers him “the pliability to maneuver round significantly better.” A lot of the accidents in battle come from shrapnel, so he needed to guard as a lot of his physique as doable with out limiting his potential to maneuver shortly.
He personalized his armor with further panels to guard areas like his abdomen, backbone, ribs, and hips, areas the place a tourniquet cannot simply be utilized. He shared that many troopers use neck safety, however he discovered it did not provide sufficient freedom of motion.
He additionally wears glasses with ballistic safety to protect in opposition to shrapnel.
He makes use of a “very light-weight” helmet from Crew Wendy, which helps his night-vision goggles. He mentioned weight is necessary to him in order that it does not pressure his neck.
Dimko Zhluktenko
He additionally carries tourniquets and bandages. The primary, on a battlefield the place medical evacuation and trauma care are doubtless not available, is essential for staying alive. He mentioned these instruments — he carried 4 on his particular person on the time of filming — are amongst his “most necessary stuff.”
A couple of further objects within the package
Zhluktenko carried a “correct knife” that he mentioned is previous and getting “a bit rusty” however nonetheless works nicely sufficient, together with a multitool that features options like a small noticed. A follower on X despatched it to him. He additionally makes use of a carabiner to hold further gear.
He carried zipties and padlocks so his unit may take over and safe vacant positions. Many positions have doorways, and they’d lock them and write on the door which unit took it, together with their name signal and telephone quantity.
He additionally carried a flashlight with crimson and white modes made by a good friend’s firm, Syaivo, which supplies them to Ukrainian troopers totally free. He additionally had two different flashlights that he may placed on his helmet and armor.
