When thousands of Ukrainians stood in lines at military enlistment offices at the start of the full-scale invasion, few could imagine what the war would look like three years later. Back then, most volunteers had no combat experience. Today, they command unmanned systems units, launch anti-Shahed systems, and create new approaches to warfare.
This is exactly how Anton Tropin, commander of the strike unmanned aerial systems company “Teiwaz” of the 118th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, sees his brigade.
“TDF are the best people. Those who voluntarily, from the very first days of the war, stood in line at military enlistment offices. Those who held back the enemy on different parts of the front. The 118th is exactly like that. Civilians, not career soldiers, but highly motivated,” he says.
From Popasna to the Kursk operation
For the brigade, Cherkasy region is more than just a place of formation.
“This is the land of Taras and Bohdan. The land of Kholodnyi Yar,” says the serviceman.
Over the years of war, the units of the 118th Brigade fought in the hottest points of the front — near Popasna, Bakhmut, Siversk, Vuhledar, Kurakhove, and in the Pokrovsk direction. They carried out combat missions in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and also took part in the Kursk operation from the first to the last day.
“All battalions of the 118th Brigade have made their contribution to the fight for Ukraine,” Tropin emphasizes.
But one of the key turning points in the life of the unit, he says, was not a specific battle, but the transformation of the brigade itself.
“We were not career soldiers. But there was nowhere to retreat. We grew, learned, searched for new ways to fight. People realized: the main thing is intention and determination. Then the people, resources, and opportunities will follow.”
“No one believed, but we made it happen”
Today, the 118th Brigade is actively developing its unmanned systems units.
The brigade has created strike drone units and works with FPVs, wings, and anti-Shahed systems. Tropin calls this direction one of the most important achievements of recent years.
“When we launched anti-Shaheds, launched drones, launched wings — no one believed in it. But we made it happen. And we keep working. We are building modern battalions, modern companies, and raising the best commanders.”
According to him, the brigade’s strength is not in the amount of equipment.
“We don’t have planes or tanks. But we have the best people. And we have command that supports innovation, listens to us, helps implement new things, and protects its people.”
Why war is expensive
Society often sees only the final result — a drone striking a target or a Shahed being shot down.
But behind every such story stands a huge amount of less visible equipment.
“All the main tools that create a good picture require additional equipment worth hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. So that all of it does not just sit there, but works effectively,” the serviceman explains.
That is why the brigade positively welcomed the appearance of the “Subscribe to army” platform, which allows Ukrainians to support a specific unit through recurring contributions.
“I believe everyone should do something for this war. Otherwise, we simply will not survive,” says Tropin.
Anti-Shaheds, drones, and new opportunities
If you ask the military what funds are most needed for today, the answer is very specific.
“The priority is anti-Shaheds. Drones. Mid-strikes. I think there is no need to explain why.”
According to the company commander, the unit is already preparing for the next wave of aerial attacks.
“Everyone is tired of Shaheds. Everyone is exhausted by it. We are already working on solutions so that the sky is cleaner, so that enemy wings cannot fly, and so that we exhaust the enemy economically.”
This is where recurring support becomes especially valuable.
A one-time donation helps close a specific fundraiser. A subscription allows the unit to count on resources constantly.
“Subscriptions are a system. And a system always defeats chaos,” the serviceman is convinced.
Behind every donation is a person
The first incoming funds through the platform brought more than just joy to the military.
“I felt pride and relief. That we are not alone here. This is very important.”
According to Tropin, recurring support directly affects the morale of the personnel.
“It incredibly boosts our spirit. We are not made of steel, not robots, not terminators. Our choice is giving up ordinary human life. So that you can live. But don’t forget about us.”
Especially now, when fundraising campaigns are much harder to close than at the beginning of the full-scale war.
“Remember the first days of the invasion, when Ukrainians collected billions with small contributions? Yes, everyone is tired. Yes, it is hard for everyone. But that is exactly what the enemy is waiting for.”
So to those who doubt the value of a small contribution, the serviceman answers simply:
“Together we are many, and we cannot be defeated. Victory is already closer. Support us.”
For Anton himself, service in the 118th Brigade has long stopped being just a job or a duty.
“Now it is my whole life.”
From volunteers to systematic support
On June 30, 2018, the 118th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade was established. Since then, its fighters have gone through the hardest sections of the front, and today anyone can support the unit not only with a one-time donation but also through recurring support via “Subscribe to army.”
How to join
You can set up a subscription in just a few minutes:
- choose the 118th Brigade on subscribetoarmy.com;
- define your contribution amount — starting from UAH 10;
- choose a convenient frequency: daily, weekly, or monthly;
- track the results in public dashboards.
100% of the funds, without commissions or intermediaries, go directly to the brigade’s official account and help quickly cover its most urgent needs.
