UAV Operator
Requirements
- Fitness for service in terms of health and moral qualities
- Age 18 to 45
- Desire to work in the field of unmanned systems
- Readiness to learn and develop professionally
- Digital literacy is essential, along with the ability and desire to learn new things
- Ability to work in a team
- Readiness to work in the combat zone
- High motivation and drive to succeed in carrying out assigned tasks
- Experience with UAVs is an advantage
- Technical skills are an advantage
Responsibilities
- Conducting aerial reconnaissance of enemy positions
- Adjusting artillery fire on enemy positions and equipment
- Destroying the enemy with strike drones and FPV drones
- Interpreting and analysing data obtained during reconnaissance
- Servicing various types of drones and their equipment for operation
Terms
- Mobilisation until the end of martial law, or contract service
- Basic and specialist training as required
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of up to UAH 100,000 for carrying out tasks in the combat zone — up to UAH 121,000 per month in total, depending on the duration and area of the tasks
- Full social package
- Full provision of protective equipment and military property
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Vacancy: UAV Operator
Before anything happens on the ground, the UAV operator sees it. Enemy positions, vehicle movements, a change in a tree line that looked different only yesterday — all of this first appears on their screen.
The UAV operator is the eyes of the unit. They launch the drone, conduct reconnaissance, pass the feed to those who make decisions and adjust the strike on the target.
This is a position where how much information the commander has — and how much time the infantry has to prepare — depends on the attentiveness of one person.
Who can become a UAV operator
You do not need flying experience. A large share of operators come with no flying hours at all — and learn from scratch.
What really matters:
- Attention to detail. The work involves hours of observation in which the one detail that has changed is what matters
- Spatial thinking: keeping the map, the drone and what is on the screen in your head at the same time
- Calm. Everyone loses drones, and that is no reason to stop
- Basic handling of equipment: batteries, antennas, settings
- Medical fitness — determined by the military medical board (VLK)
How a UAV operator differs from an air defence UAV operator: the former works against ground targets — reconnaissance, observation, fire adjustment. The latter works against aerial targets and shoots down enemy drones.
What a UAV operator does in the 141st SMB
In addition to what is described in the requirements above:
- Planning a sortie: route, altitude, timing, fallback options in case of loss of communication
- Working in pairs — one flies the drone, the other reads the feed and records
- Passing data in real time to those engaging the target, and checking the result
- Preparing equipment for a sortie: charging, checking components, communications, settings
- Countering enemy EW — a separate daily part of the job, not a rare situation
How you will be trained
The path is the same for everyone: 51 days of basic military training, then the brigade adaptation course — 14–15 days with instructors who have combat experience.
Then comes specialist training in your field. An operator is taught not to "fly" but to carry out a task: planning a sortie, reading the terrain, working under interference, coordinating with those you pass the feed to.
Tactical medicine is drilled until it becomes automatic. Our instructors' principle is short: the priority is to survive.
What you will be provided with
You will be fully kitted out: gear, protective equipment and the equipment you need for the job.
You will not be alone. The brigade's drone branch is a unit: operators, heavy drone pilots and navigators, technicians, repairers. A newcomer starts alongside an experienced operator, not alone.
What the terms include:
- Pay: base pay of UAH 21,000 + an additional bonus of up to UAH 100,000 for carrying out tasks in the combat zone — up to UAH 121,000 per month in total, depending on the duration and area of the tasks
- Full provision of gear, protective equipment and military property
- The social package provided for service members
- Opportunity to obtain combatant status (UBD)
Where you can grow
- Senior operator, crew commander, team commander
- Moving to heavy drones — bomber pilot or navigator
- Instructor for newly arrived operators
- Planning the use of unmanned systems at unit level
In the 141st, competence and results count — not length of service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Logic and process: we answer the key questions about enlistment, training and status.
Apply for this positionDo I need flying experience?
+No. Most operators come with no flying hours and learn from scratch — specialist training follows basic training.
Does a UAV operator work from the front line?
+The work is carried out from prepared positions, which the commander determines depending on the task. As a matter of principle, we do not name specific locations.
How is this different from FPV?
+FPV means striking a specific target with a single-use drone. A reconnaissance drone comes back, and its task is information: to see, to pass on, to adjust.
I have no military experience. Can I still join you?
+Yes. Most of our best specialists were civilians yesterday. What matters to us is your motivation. We’ll match a role to your skills: if you understand machinery — you’ll go to the mechanics; if you know electronics — to UAVs or communications. Everything military — we’ll teach you.
How long does training take before deployment to the unit?
+Every recruit completes Basic General Military Training (BGMT) at a training center. After that — additional specialized training depending on the chosen role. We send only the prepared to the line of contact — that is our core principle.
What happens after I fill out the form?
+Your application goes to the recruiting center. Within 24 hours our specialist will call — it’s not an interrogation, just an introduction and answers to your questions. If we’re a match, the brigade issues an official request and our liaison helps you get through the TRC and MMB as fast as possible.
Can I transfer to the 141st SMB from another unit?
+Yes, we consider transfers — including via the Army+ app. Fill out the form and select the status “Active service member” — a recruiter will advise on your real chances and the steps involved.
I am AWOL (SZCh). Can I join?
+The law allows a return to service. If you’re motivated to fight in a sound team — fill out the form and state your status honestly. Our specialists will advise you individually on legal ways to return. Confidentially.
Do you provide uniform and equipment?
+Yes. The brigade fully provides basic kit, body armor, helmets and weapons. Plus — thanks to a strong volunteer network, we have additional technological support: drones, EW, transport.
Similar positions
Didn’t find your role?
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Tell us which role you wantWhat happens after you apply
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01
A call within 24 hours
Your application goes to the recruiting centre and a specialist calls within a day. It is not an interrogation — just an introduction and answers to your questions.
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02
Interview and choosing a role
Together we look at what you can do and where it is most useful. If we are a match, the brigade issues an official request for your transfer.
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03
Enlistment office and medical board — with support
Our liaison helps you get through the enlistment office and the military medical board as fast as possible. You do not navigate the queues alone.
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04
Training first, then the unit
Basic general military training takes 51 days, followed by the brigade’s 14–15 day adaptation course with instructors who have combat experience. We send only prepared soldiers to the front line.