The hum of a small black test device, a series of control tones, and a red cable connecting it to a drone resting on a table. Maksud Ganapijev, an IT specialist, leans over it, nodding with satisfaction. The device beeps repeatedly – a good sign. “Yes, it works. Everything here is correctly assembled. This is the sign: everything was cleanly soldered,” Ganapijev says with a satisfied smile. In this small, windowless cellar, tucked away somewhere in Hamburg, another reconnaissance drone for Ukraine is complete.
“We do everything to stop the Russians”
Maksud Ganapijev, a Lithuanian IT specialist, initiated this drone project. A dozen people gather here at tables, at least once a week, to solder, screw, and program. Ganapijev, 32, taught everyone in the cellar how to build a drone. His motivation stems from his Lithuanian heritage: “We understand Ukraine very well because we went through this path in 1990.” He refers to Lithuania’s journey to independence from the Soviet Union. His concern is that Lithuania could be Putin’s next target. Therefore, for him, “We do everything to stop the Russians and to help Ukraine.”
Supporters from Ukraine, Russia, and Germany
Denis Kokhno, a Russian, wants to contribute to Ukraine through his work. Most of the group members are from Ukraine, like Serhii Anoshkin: “I want to do something for my country, something that helps to win.” As he solders, a wisp of smoke rises. A small extractor fan hums softly in front of him. He and his wife fled Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine to Hamburg three years ago. Regarding February 24th, he says, “For me, it’s not four years of war. It’s actually twelve years of war. Our life has been broken since 2014.”
Next to him sits Denis Kokhno, assembling the drone’s frame. “It’s not as difficult as it looks,” he explains. They have all gained a lot of experience here. “The first time is very complicated, but after 100 drones, it’s quite simple.” Kokhno, from Russia, sees his work here as his form of help: “This is a small thing I can do for Ukraine.”
Sabine Cuners, a German physicist, is also involved in building reconnaissance drones. A few seats away, she examines the solder joints on the drone in front of her with a jeweler’s loupe. “I am very happy that I can be here.” She is German and works as a physics engineer. Her acquaintances approve of her involvement in the drone project, she says: “They hear the news and are completely distraught. I then say: ‘I go here and at least do a little something.’ And when a drone is finished, you’re happy,” Cuners says.
More than 300 Drones in Two Years
Since March 2024, the team has built over 300 drones in the small, brightly lit cellar. The instructions come directly from Ukraine, from a “Social Drone” program. The group usually orders individual parts online or builds them themselves with a 3D printer. Depending on what is needed in Ukraine, they install night vision or thermal imaging cameras, for example. The drones are then used in Ukraine for civilian purposes – for example, to document damage or prepare rescue operations, Maksud explains. He further elaborates: “Or whoever needs to learn to fly a drone there can order one from us, and we will deliver it.” Volunteers transport the finished drones by car from Hamburg to Ukraine.
“Drones of Hamburg” – Project Reaches Zelenskyy
The drone project has developed its own logo and has even attracted the attention of the Ukrainian president. They need about 250 euros to buy all the components for one drone. This is financed by donations. Anyone who donates an entire drone receives an embroidered patch with the group’s logo. The inscription “Drones of Hamburg” adorns a blue and yellow background. When President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Berlin for talks in December, one of the Hamburg team members handed such a patch to the president’s staff. To their surprise, they later rediscovered it in a video from Zelenskyy’s office. “We always watch the news, and then we saw: Our patch is hanging on his wall of recognition.” As he tells this, Maksud has a broad smile on his face. Proudly, he shows a photo of it on his phone: “On this wall hang the logos of so many strong groups and true heroes.”
From Hamburg to Other Cities: Drone Initiative Grows
Meanwhile, Maksud and the others are also training interested people in other parts of Germany. “There is now also a group in Berlin, in Kiel, in Bremen, and in Düsseldorf.” When asked how long they plan to continue building drones, the 32-year-old says: “We hope we could stop tomorrow because the war ends. But as long as the war continues and Ukraine needs help, we will continue.”
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/aus-hamburg-fuer-die-ukraine-drohnenbau-im-keller,drohnenbauer-100.html
