British Volunteer Drone Factory in Ukraine Urges Government Support
A British national, Richard Woodruff, who operates Ukraine’s largest volunteer drone factory, has called on the UK Government to provide financial support for the production of drones that have successfully destroyed numerous Russian tanks and armored vehicles. Woodruff asserts that his kamikaze drones have eliminated over $100 million (£79 million) worth of Russian military equipment in just one year.
The drones, measuring between seven to ten inches, are equipped with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) warhead. They have reportedly been instrumental in halting Russian tank columns and have even taken out a $25 million (£20 million) air defense system. Over the weekend, the 31-year-old Woodruff, hailing from Crowborough, East Sussex, met with a group of cross-party Members of Parliament (MPs) who traveled to Lviv. During their meeting, he urged them to advocate for increased funding from the UK Government to scale up drone production by 1,000 units per month.
“We have this British volunteer-run drone factory, and we could easily produce an additional 1,000 drones each month,” Woodruff explained to The i Paper, as air raid sirens echoed in the background. “And we do this at an incredibly low cost. It’s just £250 for a drone that can take out a $2 million tank.”
Woodruff emphasized the efficiency of this approach, stating, “If the British Government is looking for ways to support Ukraine, this is the most effective and efficient method. It takes only two or three drones to stop a tank, which means you could potentially neutralize 300 tanks for just £250,000.” He further noted that one of their drones, costing £250, successfully disabled a $25 million air defense system by striking its radar, rendering it completely inoperable. “Radar systems are highly complex, and they certainly don’t respond well to RPGs exploding on them,” he added.
Effectiveness of Drones in Modern Warfare
Drones have emerged as a crucial element in the ongoing conflict, accounting for approximately two-thirds of Russian losses and proving to be the most lethal weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal. Footage provided to The i Paper showcased the drones in action, attacking Russian tanks and armored vehicles during a recent offensive into Kursk. One seven-inch drone was able to obliterate an air defense system’s radar in the Kharkiv region, showcasing the devastating impact of this technology.
These drones were among the first to penetrate Russian territory, successfully targeting armored vehicles, tanks, and supply lines in Belgorod. According to Woodruff, video evidence confirms the destruction of 21 tanks, 34 BMP armored troop carriers, 11 trucks, five artillery pieces, and one Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. He believes the actual number of destroyed assets is likely at least double this figure.
During his meeting with the visiting MPs, Woodruff expressed hope that they would relay the urgent need for government assistance to Defence Secretary John Healey. “They can be pivotal in this effort. If they can return to Parliament and advocate for us to receive parts or £250,000 monthly, that could save thousands of Ukrainian lives,” he stated.
“Currently, 75% of everything the Russians deploy is being destroyed by FPV drones. The threat they pose is so significant that Russian forces can only move at night, unless they are willing to accept the risk of being targeted. Our drones have effectively halted armored columns from overrunning our positions, serving as a vital defensive technology.”
Originally a chef, Woodruff traveled to Lviv in June 2022, shortly after Russia initiated its full-scale invasion. His motivation stemmed from witnessing the atrocities committed in Bucha, where war crimes were allegedly perpetrated by Vladimir Putin’s forces. Initially, he volunteered to deliver humanitarian aid to the front lines, but by the end of 2023, a Ukrainian friend approached him with the idea of building drones.
After refining their skills over a few months, Woodruff and his team are now capable of training new operatives to construct a drone within about a week. His organization, Angel of Life, also focuses on delivering humanitarian aid and procuring vehicles, medical supplies, and military equipment for those on the front lines.
The factory operates primarily on crowdfunding; however, a decline in donations has forced them to turn away eager volunteers wishing to contribute to drone production. Currently, they are assembling around 350 drones each month, a drop from a peak of 900. With support from the UK Government, Woodruff is optimistic that they could ramp up production to 1,000 drones, with each unit taking about an hour to assemble.
“It’s disheartening because I have ten British individuals ready and waiting to help build drones, but we simply lack the necessary parts,” Woodruff lamented.
