Ukraine deploying more drones to battlefield as Moscow-Kyiv war enters day 161

Ukrainian military says it has received nearly 20 million dollars from international dor countries and individuals for purchase of reconnaissance drones.

Ukraine displayed some of hardware at an airport on outskirts of Kyiv on Tuesday ahe of its deployment to frontline.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian authorities launched a new fundraising campaign called "Army of Drones" to buy and repair drones and train operators.

Throughout conflict, both Ukrainian and Russian forces have used small consumer drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), in war to pinpoint enemy positions and guide ir artillery strikes.

Just last Sunday, a small explosive device carried by a makeshift drone blew up at hequarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet on Crimean Peninsula, wounding six people and prompting cancellation of ceremonies re horing Russia's navy, according to authorities.

Oleksander Chendekov, a Ukrainian drone developer, says UAVs have me it possible to monitor actions of enemy, change military strategies, and most importantly - save as many military and civilian lives as possible.

"Unmanned aerial vehicles cost incomparably less than cost of human lives," Chendekov said.

donations have come from 74 countries and y say y have even received donations from children sending ir own toy drones to help Ukrainian Armed Forces.

With money raised, military has signed contracts worth around 7 million dollars.

y include purchase of 78 Matrice multicopters, two ground systems for 20 Warmate attack drones, and 20 Fly Eye drones.

funding has also been used to train pilots - an estimated 400 have w gruated after two months of training.

Ukrainian serviceman Leonid, who uses UAVs on battlefield, said without drones to help pinpoint targets high-precision weapons would be less effective.

"To destroy enemy, for example, by HIMARS. We need ten more FlyEye for every HIMARS," Leonid said.