24 January 2025

Swedish Media SVT Nyheter Published an Interview with a Crimean Tatar on New Tactics in the War in Ukraine

Swedish media outlet SVT Nyheter published an interview with Crimean Tatar Umer, who shared insights into innovative technologies used in Ukraine’s defense against Russia. A software engineer, Umer detailed his experience testing new types of drones and discussed his personal motivation for defending his country.

Umer introduced a new type of drone—wired drones—that can operate up to 10 kilometers away using a cable. These devices are single-use but extremely effective, as their signals cannot be jammed by electronic warfare systems, a common issue with standard drones. Umer expressed hope that wired drones could provide Ukrainian forces with a technological edge on the battlefield. He emphasized his focus on continuously improving tactics and developing effective tools to counter the aggressor.

“This drone is different: it has no antennas or transmitters—just a cable, and the technology is very simple. It is effective, but the operator must know the target precisely. Ukraine has already begun deploying such drones on the battlefield and aims to establish domestic production to make better use of financial resources,” Umer explained to journalists.

In the interview for the Swedish outlet SVT Nyheter, Umer also recounted the genocide-deportation of the Crimean Tatar people orchestrated by the Soviet regime under Joseph Stalin’s orders. On May 18, the entire Crimean Tatar population was forcibly expelled from Crimea to remote regions of the Soviet Union. Umer’s family was deported to the Urals and could return to Crimea only in 1992 after the collapse of the USSR.

“My people have suffered at the hands of Russians since 1944, when we were deported. My grandmother, my entire family—they all endured immense hardships, but they survived. My country is Ukraine, and I proudly embrace its identity. At the same time, I remain a Crimean Tatar. These two identities coexist harmoniously, as Ukraine ensures respect and freedom. In Russia, this would be impossible,” Umer emphasized.