Sophisticated drones, not cheap FPVs behind Ukraine’s strikes on Russian bombers — drone manufacturer

Valeriy Borovyk, founder of the drone manufacturer First Contact and a member of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, stated this on Espreso TV.

“You probably saw that information in Defense Express, and last night The Wall Street Journal also published a piece, citing their sources in the intelligence community and independent analysis. What I can say is that our drones are always a technical part of operations like these. We've always designed our Osa drones not just as FPVs. And I find it laughable to read in even the top global media that such operations are being carried out using drones that cost $500–600. That’s just not true. These are highly sophisticated drones, and they don’t cost what people say they do,” he said.

Borovyk emphasized that cheap FPVs currently used on the front line cannot carry out complex missions deep inside Russian territory.

"We’ve always developed specialized products. And that’s something I had to fight for — with procurement officers, with the previous leadership of the State Special Communications Service, and the one before that. They refused to buy Osa drones, no matter how much we tried to explain that these are unique drones — you can’t compare a Mercedes to a Zaporozhets. Only now, I believe, those who were against these kinds of high-impact tools — not only useful for special operations but also adaptable to the front line — are starting to realize their value.

Now it’s time to study this experience and produce these drones at scale, with support from both Western and Ukrainian governments. I believe what happened on Sunday was a historic moment. These kinds of drones, including ours, should be deployed en masse in our fight against Russia," he added.

Borovyk also spoke about what makes the Osa FPV drones different from others.

“What makes them special? From the start, we integrated different navigation systems, tracking systems, drone control, communications, targeting systems, and resistance to electronic warfare. We built them to operate under EW interference — to get through jammers, domes, and trench-based EW systems. Then we continued improving them. Right now, various teams are requesting our drones on the front line. We can’t reserve all our specialists, which is also a problem. But we keep upgrading our technology, and it’s proving itself not only in Ukraine, but globally,” he said.

• On June 1, 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted a major Spider’s Web operation to destroy Russian bombers.
• The head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Vasyl Malyuk, disclosed the details of the historic special Spider’s Web operation, which resulted in the downing of more than 40 Russian military aircraft.
• Satellite images of the Russian Belaya airbase confirm damage to aircraft following an operation by the Security Service of Ukraine.
• On June 4, NATO sources anonymously stated that the Ukrainian Security Service's Spider's Web operation was indeed large and that 40 Russian aircraft were damaged.