Southeast Missouri man joins Ukranian Special Operations Drone Unit
UKRAINE (KBSI) – On February 24, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine, making the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II. The United States along with other country’s provided troops and aide to support Ukraine.
It’s been two years since the invasion but according to those still fighting there the war is far from over.
Micheal Purcell is a business owner from Perryville, Missouri. He runs Small Arms Supply, a sporting goods store.
He’s currently serving in the Ukranian Army, 2cd battalion, International Legion, Special Operations Drone Unit.
He gives a firsthand look from his bunker in Ukraine.
“Ukrainians are like the indigenous people that were in North America, the Native Americans. Someone came and tried to push them off their land. These people are being oppressed. Just like today I’m sitting here about 1 kilometer from any main position, and you can hear the artillery in the background. I’m sitting here and I got pushed a news story of a children’s hospital who has cancer that got bombed several hours ago. So, this is emotional for me. People don’t see what’s going on.”
According to Global Conflict Tracker fighting and air strikes have caused over 30,000 civilian fatalities and at least 3.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine.
Purcell has been serving in his unit since January 16, 2024. Purcell says he often gets asked why he didn’t join the US military. Why this war? According to global reports Ukraine’s advantages have been their use of drones and increased drone attacks on Russian ships.
Purcell says this war is unique with the amount of drone use happening and that’s what he wanted to be a part of and gain up front experience he couldn’t get anywhere else.
“We did some bomb drops today and were able to hit some targets. Stuff that I’m not proud about, stuff that I’m going to have to live with. Stuff that I’m trying to process today. We see infantry fight, were like the angels in the sky here running these drones.”
A drone is a small unmanned flying vehicle.
A Cape Girardeau man in Purcell’s unit referred to the Russian Ukrainian war as “World War 1 trench warfare meets 2024 technology.”
“This is the future. The technology is going to advance even further. We are researching autonomous drone usage. AI is coming into play. We aren’t seeing it on the battlefield yet it’s still in development, but it is the future, and the United States and other countries are seeing it” says Purcell.
Purcell says Ukrainian civilians are kind and caring people who didn’t ask for this war and they need support.
If you’re interested in showing your support or in volunteering, you can tap here to go the Internal Legion website.
Hygiene products, thank you cards, candy and other supplies are desperately needed to support those fighting in Ukraine.
