{"id":2532,"date":"2025-04-21T17:32:04","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/?p=2532"},"modified":"2025-12-01T15:31:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T13:31:08","slug":"dorozvidka-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.thedefender.media\/en\/2025\/04\/dorozvidka-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Dorozvidka #4: \u201cBars\u201d, Achilles, \u201cTechno Taras\u201d, and $100,000 for DrillApp"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the Dorozvidka<\/a> section, Defender publishes news from the editorial backlog over the past week, along with notable content from Ukrainian and international media. Today\u2019s selection includes updates on Ukraine\u2019s missile program, an interview with the commander of a drone regiment, update on investments in a military training app, personnel changes at the Ministry of Defence, and troubling news from one of Ukraine\u2019s leading EW manufacturers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian \u201cBars\u201d missile: details emerge<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

BBC journalists uncovered<\/a> new information about the Ukrainian \u201cBars\u201d missile, which was first mentioned on April 11 by the Minister for Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to BBC\u2019s government sources, \u201cBars\u201d belongs to the class of so-called cruise \u201cmissile-drones.\u201d Notably, this is a private-sector development. The missile\u2019s range is approximately 700\u2013800 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sources say the missile\u2019s key advantage is the ability to mass-produce it in Ukraine. Images and detailed specifications remain classified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DrillApp secures $100,000 in funding<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian startup DrillApp, which develops a training app for the military, has raised $100,000, according to a Forbes article<\/a> citing the company\u2019s press release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DrillApp has not disclosed its investors but says they include business angels and veterans. The company plans to use the funds to develop an FPV drone course, a module on international humanitarian law, a psychological stabilisation program, and a B2B platform for professional defence training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The app has over 200,000 users, including 50,000 active service members. DrillApp is being tested in NATO structures by instructors from Canada, Poland, and Estonia and has received localization requests from Israel and the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fire at Kvertus<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

On the night of April 14\u201315, a fire broke out at the facilities of Ukrainian defence tech company Kvertus, which produces EW and ELINT systems. The company\u2019s CEO, Yaroslav Filimonov, reported<\/a> the incident on Facebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Filimonov, the fire destroyed part of the warehouse and components and damaged the second floor where production took place. The cause is under investigation. No employees were injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u0421\u0433\u043e\u0440\u0456\u043b\u0430<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Filimonov wrote that the fire is a serious challenge but \u201cdefinitely not the end\u201d for the company. He confirmed that Kvertus continues to operate as usual. \u201cProduction, shipments, testing, field trials \u2014 everything is on schedule. We are already taking steps to minimize the incident\u2019s impact on productivity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kvertus is one of the largest private producers of ELINT and EW equipment in Ukraine. The company employs over 100 people and manufactures more than 1,000 devices each month. Its product range includes anti-drone rifles and large-scale EW systems for infrastructure protection and electronic reconnaissance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oleh Berestovyi resigns from the Ministry of Defence<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Head of the IT Department at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, Oleh Berestovyi, has announced his resignation on LinkedIn. Berestovyi stated that he is stepping down \u201cvoluntarily, of his own accord, and without conflict with the team.\u201d He held the position for a year and a half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that he had been preparing for his departure with Deputy Defence Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko over the past two months and had trained a successor, whose name has not yet been disclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Berestovyi\u2019s tenure, the ministry developed and launched the \u201cArmy+\u201d app (with around 800,000 users), \u201cReserve+\u201d (with about 4 million users), and several other products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more:<\/strong> Dorozvidka #3: Insights on Ukrainian defence tech from Zaluzhnyi, Smetanin, Berlinska, and The Economist<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Achilles on the realities of drone warfare<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The press service of Ukraine\u2019s Ground Forces published an interview with Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the 429th drone regiment, call sign \u201cAchilles.\u201d He spoke about how drone systems have evolved from aerial reconnaissance to strike drone swarms, and how one of the most effective drone units in the Defence Forces was formed from volunteers and former territorial defence fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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