Ukrainian schoolkids are learning how to fly drones, because 'we don't know how long this war will last'

September 25, 2026 / 12:04 PM EDT / CBS News

Ukrainian schoolkids are learning how to fly drones, because 'we don't know how long this war will last'

TL;DR

  • Wooden boards cover shattered windows at a school near Kyiv, damaged by a Russian drone attack.
  • An after-school program called Tech Explorers, run by the nonprofit Dignitas, teaches children of Ukrainian service members about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
  • The program focuses on teaching students how to fly, build, and repair FPV drones, a critical technology in the current conflict.
  • FPV drones are now estimated to account for 90% of casualties on both sides of the war and are also used in civilian sectors.
  • Students use simulators, 3D printers to build drone frames, and fly miniature drones in basement challenges.
  • A 14-year-old student, Eduard, has become proficient in drone piloting and is now assisting with teaching.
  • Instructors believe the program provides valuable skills for children in a country significantly impacted by war, preparing them for future professions.
  • Ukraine's defense and technology industries are increasingly important national economic assets.
  • Unlike some war-related school curriculum, Tech Explorers focuses on individual passions rather than necessity.