Ukrainian Drone Hero Survives Assassination Attempt, Exposing Russian Threats

On May 1, 2025, Ukrainian activist and drone fundraiser Serhii Sternenko narrowly escaped death in a targeted shooting in Kyiv, a bold assassination attempt thwarted by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU). The attack, linked to Russian intelligence, underscores the high stakes for volunteers fueling Ukraine’s drone-powered defense against Moscow’s aggression. Ukrainska Pravda reported the suspect, a 43-year-old woman from Odesa Oblast, was detained after meticulous surveillance funded by Russian operatives.

A Volunteer’s Vital Role in Ukraine’s Drone War

Sternenko, 30, is a linchpin in Ukraine’s military supply chain, spearheading crowdfunding for over 176,000 first-person-view (FPV) drones as of May 1, 2025. These agile, pilot-controlled drones, often equipped with cameras and explosives, have become game-changers on the battlefield, enabling precise strikes against Russian targets. His Sternenko Community Foundation has raised millions of hryvnias (approximately $USD 250,000) to equip Ukrainian forces, making him a prime target for Russia’s hybrid warfare. The attacker, who rented an apartment in Sternenko’s Kyiv complex on April 15, 2025, shadowed him for weeks, armed with an unregistered pistol, possibly a Makarov, per SBU findings.

Russian Intelligence’s Calculated Strike

The SBU’s swift action saved Sternenko’s life, detaining the suspect moments after she fired, wounding him non-fatally. “The bullet went through. It didn’t hit anything vital,” Sternenko posted on Telegram, thanking the SBU for their “lightning-fast reaction.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the SBU, stating, “The head of the SBU reported on the investigation into the attack on activist Serhii Sternenko. The SBU detained the attacker promptly—thanks for that.” The suspect, born in 1979, reportedly received funds from Russian intelligence, withdrawn as cash from ATMs and banks, highlighting Moscow’s covert tactics to silence Ukraine’s resistance.

This marks Sternenko’s fourth brush with death since 2014, including a 2018 attack where he fatally wounded an assailant in self-defense, later cleared by an Odesa court in 2023. The pattern suggests Russia’s relentless campaign to eliminate influential figures bolstering Ukraine’s war effort.

Implications for Drone Volunteers and Global Security

The attack sends a chilling message to drone volunteers, whose grassroots efforts have democratized Ukraine’s defense. FPV drones, costing as little as $500 each, level the playing field against Russia’s superior manpower. Yet, targeting figures like Sternenko could deter fundraising and innovation in this critical sector. Internationally, the incident exposes Russia’s escalating use of proxy operatives, raising concerns for NATO allies supporting Ukraine’s drone programs. Regulatory bodies may push for tighter controls on foreign funding and surveillance tech to counter such threats.

DroneXL’s Take

At DroneXL, we see Sternenko’s survival as a testament to the resilience of Ukraine’s drone community. His work proves that passion and tech can outmaneuver tyranny, but this attack is a wake-up call. Drone pilots and fundraisers aren’t just hobbyists or tech geeks—they’re targets in a global shadow war. We urge the drone industry to rally behind secure crowdfunding platforms and advocate for international protections for volunteers. Sternenko’s close call isn’t just Ukraine’s fight; it’s a reminder that freedom to innovate comes with a bullseye. Let’s keep flying, but with eyes wide open.

Photo / video courtesy of X / Masi Nayyem / Facebook