Training Drone Operators in Wartime Ukraine: Dronarium Academy
AI Analysis
Dronarium Academy in Ukraine has become a pivotal institution for training drone operators amid the ongoing conflict, expanding its operations to Poland and collaborating with international partners. The academy offers courses on various unmanned systems, adapting its curriculum based on frontline experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Dronarium Academy transitioned from civilian to military drone training in 2022.
- The academy has opened a new training center in Poland and collaborates with Latvia and Japan.
- Dronarium Group includes an R&D division and partners with companies like Warmax Technologies.
- The academy's courses cover FPV drones, multirotors, and interceptor piloting.
- Graduates receive certification recognized by Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.
Why It Matters
The development of specialized training centers like Dronarium Academy highlights the increasing importance of skilled drone operators in modern warfare. By expanding internationally and collaborating with other countries, Ukraine is enhancing its capabilities in unmanned systems, which could influence the balance of power in the region.
Training Drone Operators in Wartime Ukraine: Dronarium Academy
Ukraine's Arms Monitor
SubscribeSign in
Open-Access
Training Drone Operators in Wartime Ukraine: Dronarium Academy
Skills and expertise
Olena Kryzhanivska
Apr 03, 2026
26
1
14
Share
Photo provided by Dronarium Academy
Not the systems per se, but skills are becoming the game changer in modern conflict. The mass use of unmanned systems in Ukraine and Russia has led to the emergence of an entirely new category of combatants—drone operators.
Ukraine has over 30 private schools and centers that train both civilians and military personnel to operate a range of unmanned systems—including FPVs, multirotor drones, interceptors, fiber-optic drones, reconnaissance platforms, heavy bombers, UGVs, USVs, and others.
One of the most well-known among them is Dronarium Academy, which, prior to the full-scale invasion, trained drone operators for the civilian sector and transitioned to military drone training in 2022. Recently, Dronarium opened a training center in Poland and is cooperating closely with Latvia, Japan, and other countries.
I discussed with Dronarium Academy how drone operator training is evolving and where it is heading as autonomous technologies become more widespread.
Subscribe
About Dronarium Academy
Dronarium Group is a holding company that includes Dronarium, Dronarium Academy, and an R&D division. The group focuses on training and consulting in unmanned systems and actively partners with manufacturing companies, such as Warmax Technologies.
Through its diversified activities, the group covers the full cycle—from the development and production of aerial, ground, and underwater unmanned systems to the training of operators.
Since 2014, Dronarium activities have included organizing drone-related events and applying drone technologies in film production, media, geodesy, and agriculture.
Following the start of the full-scale invasion, the first two trainee groups were still trained under a civilian-oriented approach. After that, graduates began sharing their frontline experience, allowing the program to be continuously refined and adapted. The company, in the form of a Military Academy, began its operations in March 2022 in Lviv, where it opened the first training center.
In October 2024, Dronarium Academy became certified by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Main Directorate of State Aviation of Ukraine.
Its graduates receive a certificate recognized by MoD, along with recommendations for further military service or volunteer engagement.
Training Courses
The Academy offers courses on FPV drones, multirotors, underwater drones, fiber-optic FPV systems, FPV engineering, and interceptor drone piloting.
According to Anastasia Sobova, CBDO at Dronarium, the most popular courses in Ukraine are FPV Engineering, FPV Drones, Fiber-Optic FPV, and Multirotor Systems. The latter was the first course