Dorozvidka #56: Zelensky on the Drone Deal and exports, plus Flash, Phoenix, deep strikes and Norway

In today’s Dorozvidka:

• President Zelensky on the Drone Deal and fair arms exports
• How Ukraine caught up with Russia in long-range drones
• Assassination attempt on defence advisor Serhii Flash Beskrestnov
• Video report from a unit shooting down Shaheds
• Phoenix from Lasar’s Group on Militarnyi’s stream
• Ukraine and Norway to cooperate on drone production

Zelensky on the Drone Deal and “fair” exports

President Volodymyr Zelensky gave an interview to Fakty Tyzhnia host Oksana Sokolova, where he outlined details of the Drone Deal and his approach to arms exports.

“On exports, I’m open to the following formula. First, export everything to our front. After that — to any partner country, but with priority given to those who have been the biggest donors and supported us throughout the war.

Money, missiles, political backing — many countries also supported our EU candidacy. But first and foremost, priority goes to those who are providing funding and weapons today.

Many of our achievements, including in maritime drones, were made possible not only by Ukraine’s defence industry. Several European countries with strong naval traditions have contributed significant expertise.

The UK, Norway and the Netherlands are key partners that helped us with technologies and enabled us to scale and build our fleet. Ukraine’s naval drone fleet exists today thanks to these partnerships.

When we talk about partnerships and exports, we must remain grateful and remember who enabled this progress.

Today we are investing $30 billion into Ukraine’s defence sector. That is the target for 2026. Just imagine the scale of that investment.

Our defence industry now says it is capable of producing up to $60 billion worth of output. This shows the transformation of Ukraine’s defence sector.”

Read more. 

Assassination attempt on Serhii Flash Beskrestnov

On the night of April 19–20, Russian forces struck the home of Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, using jet-powered Shahed drones. The house was almost completely destroyed, and Beskrestnov was hospitalised with injuries.

Beskrestnov is one of Ukraine’s leading experts in communications and radio technologies. Since 2024, he has headed the NGO Center for Radio Technologies, and since January 2025 has served as an advisor to Mykhailo Fedorov, focusing on systemic counter-drone solutions.

He also runs widely followed Facebook and Telegram accounts where he shares analysis and updates.

“I was hit, but the main thing is that I’m miraculously alive,” he wrote from hospital on April 21. “I was mentally prepared for this, and it will not stop me.”

Serhii and his family can be supported using the payment details published on his social media pages, including Facebook.

How Ukraine caught up with Russia in long-range drones

Ukrainian long-range drones are increasingly striking targets deep inside Russia and becoming a major factor in the war. Open-source data suggests that the number of Ukrainian deep-strike launches in recent months has reached parity with Russian levels.

The geography of strikes has also expanded significantly — from border areas to nearly all regions of European Russia.

This reflects a steady build-up of domestic production and operational capabilities. Analysts from the Come Back Alive foundation’s research centre examined how Ukraine moved from localized strikes near the frontline to systematic use of long-range UAVs.

Read more. 

Inside a unit shooting down Shaheds

War correspondents from Army Media spent a night on combat duty with a unit that specialises in intercepting Shahed drones.

The unit has downed around 200 aerial targets so far, with a daily record of up to 20 Shaheds.

Phoenix from Lasar’s Group on Militarnyi stream

Phoenix, deputy commander for UAV systems development at Lasar’s Group, appeared on a Militarnyi livestream, discussing:

• Russian preparations for the spring campaign
• Challenges facing Ukrainian UAV units
• Development of ISR capabilities within Lasar’s Group
• The e-Baly reward system for enemy drone pilots

Ukraine and Norway to cooperate on drone production

Ukraine and Norway will cooperate on UAV production and signed a joint declaration to deepen defence and security cooperation. The agreement was signed during a meeting between President Zelensky and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo on April 14.

“Today we launched the Drone Deal with Norway. Our teams will now work on the details. We are also focused on joint production projects — they are already underway,” Zelensky said.

Norway committed to supporting drone production in Ukraine, while Ukraine will share its battlefield experience, data and expertise.

“Norway consistently supports Ukraine, but this is not a one-way relationship. Ukraine gives a lot in return. We can learn from the experience Ukraine has gained in this difficult war,” Støre said.

Norway may also begin producing Ukrainian UAVs under licence, according to Defence Minister Tore Sandvik.