Updated

At the European Defense Innovation Forum (EDIF 2026) in The Hague, participants assembled about 35 drones over two days in a workshop for the Ukrainian military. The organisers, DroneAid, supplied ready-made component kits bought with donations, and the finished drones are sent to Ukraine for military use rather than kept for training. Participants with no prior experience were helped by specialists, and each basic drone took two to three hours to assemble. The drones are used for reconnaissance and information gathering, and military personnel can equip them as needed once delivered. DroneAid instructor Rostyslav Yosypenko told Ukrinform that the aim is to engage people in helping Ukraine while giving them basic technical skills. Ukrinform reported that Ukrainian veterans also take part, and Yosypenko said the work helps their rehabilitation by showing them they can still be useful after being wounded. Yosypenko said the organisers work with military engineers, who give feedback that is used to modify the designs, and that separate teams work on more complex developments with the military.