The drones made by the Turkish company, Bayraktar TB2, are recognized as helping Ukraine in restraining Russia's military advance. What do the creators say about this phenomenon?
The Bayraktar TB2 has been called by Ukraine several times capable of destroying Russian convoys or military vehicles. This drone is revered by Ukrainians, even the Mayor of Kyiv recently named some of the animals at the local zoo after Bayraktar.
"The drone was part of a very well executed Ukrainian social media campaign by the military and the Ukrainian people. The video of the Bayraktar attack went viral on social media and boosted morale," said Samuel Bendett, an analyst with the Center of Naval Analyses Russia Studies (CNAS).
Bayraktar is perhaps the most famous Turkish export today. Turkish officials themselves have stated that the drones were purchased by Ukraine from private companies, not aided by them, in order to maintain relations with Russia.
Ukraine itself was the first buyer of the Bayraktar TB2 in 2019 and currently has dozens of units. The manufacturing company is Turkey-based Baykar. Currently, there are several countries that want to buy the drone.
Selcuk Bayraktar as Chief Technology Officer spoke about the drone being Ukraine's mainstay. Bayraktar is an engineer who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States.
"I think the drone has become a symbol of the struggle, giving them hope," Bayraktar said.
"People are resisting and defending their homeland from illegal occupation and if you want independence you have to be able to fight and that's what brave people in Ukraine have done," he added.