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Latvia’s Drone Surge is Fueling Ukraine’s Most Lethal Brigade: “Magyar’s Birds”
Every six minutes, a Russian soldier dies in Ukraine
This staggering statistic comes from the humble first-person view (FPV) drone, expertly piloted by Ukrainian operators often sipping energy drinks and hunched over a video feed in the back of a van.
“Magyar’s Birds” are the most efficient killing machine in the war. And their wings? Latvian-made.
In 2024, Latvia and the UK co-founded the Drone Coalition under the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The goal is to deliver one million drones to Ukraine.
So far, 16 countries have signed up, including tech-savvy powers like Germany, France, Sweden, and the sneaky overachievers from Australia.
Crikey!
Latvia alone pledged 5,000 drones last year. But in 2025, they shipped 12,000 more before the halfway mark. That’s a fivefold production jump. The kind of industrial acceleration usually reserved for world wars and that prick, Elon Musk.
Latvia’s contribution goes beyond the gear. Their €20 million investment includes drone operator training and on-the-ground tech support, making sure Ukraine’s drone teams are deadly efficient.
