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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Representatives of the Ukrainian national team in technological sport won two secondary team places at international competitions in the United Kingdom – in drone racing MIDRT UK 2026 (Military International Drone Racing Tournament) and in the tactical BATDC (British Army Tactical Drone Competition). For Ukraine, this was the debut at these competitions.
The competitions took place 14–18 in September on the grounds of the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst. Participants included 24 teams from 12 countries, among which was the Ukrainian team of 13 athletes. The Ukrainian delegation included service members of the 153-th Training Centre for Sniper Preparation and FPV pilots of the Gnizdo team.
In the MIDRT UK drone racing, the Ukrainian team took second place in the team standings, trailing the Australian team. In the final round, Ukraine was represented by two pilots – Receiver, who placed fourth, and Word1N, who took third. Both athletes represent the Ukrainian Gnizdo team.
Ukrainian athletes also clinched second place in the BATDC tactical competition, losing to the Croatian team. The Ukrainian team in this part of the competition was represented by four service members of the 153-th Training Centre for Sniper Preparation.
"I congratulate our pilots and service members on this result. For us it was critically important not only to come to international competitions but to demonstrate the level of Ukrainian pilots and specialists in technological disciplines. Second place in two directions at once – drone racing and tactical competitions – shows that Ukrainian experience and training is competitive at the international level," said Artur Buligin, president of the Ukrainian Federation of Technological Sport (FTSU).
According to Buligin, participation in such competitions is also important for the development of international cooperation and exchange of experience.
"Ukraine already has its own approaches to organizing technological competitions and training athletes in various disciplines. During the tournament we discussed them with international partners and witnessed the interest of British colleagues in our expertise and competition formats. This opens opportunities for further cooperation and joint work on developing international standards of technological sport," added Artur Buligin.
Separately, the trip yielded practical experience for the Ukrainian team, notes Vitalii Lavrov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine:
"The main goal of the trip to the United Kingdom was achieved: our athletes successfully trained with foreign sparring partners, shared their expertise, and gained valuable experience for further growth. It is especially pleasing that, in their debut, the team immediately won two second places. In addition, the management team laid a solid foundation for the further development of the international structure of technological sport," noted Vitalii Lavrov, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
Participation of the Ukrainian team became possible thanks to the partnership of the FTSU, the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine, and the NGO 'Ukrainian Drone Pilots Association Gnizdo,' as well as the support of the Oliver Plyn Foundation, F-Drones and BTN Foundation. For partners, an important aspect of this trip was not only to ensure the team's participation but also to present Ukrainian experience at the international level.
"International competitions are an opportunity to show that Ukraine has strong specialists and own experience. For the Oliver Pylyp Orlyk Foundation it was important to support the participation of the Ukrainian team in the United Kingdom and its professional representation on the international arena. Two second places in a debut performance are an important result, but no less valuable are contacts and experience that the team will bring back to Ukraine," said Artem Mykolaichuk, head of the board of the Oliver Plyn Foundation.
About the competitions
MIDRT UK is an international drone racing tournament among military personnel. And BATDC is a competition in the tactical use of unmanned systems. Participants perform reconnaissance tasks, target engagement, payload drops, and obstacle/object detection, and compete in speed and piloting accuracy.
For the Ukrainian team, this was a first international appearance of this format. It was an opportunity to test Ukrainian pilots’ level in international competition, exchange experience with teams from other countries, and present the Ukrainian approach to developing technological sport.
About the FTSU
The Ukrainian Federation of Technological Sport (FTSU) is a national platform that develops technological sport, officially recognized in Ukraine as a non-Olympic sport. FTSU unites competitions using unmanned systems, robotic complexes, and cybersecurity technologies and develops technological sport in four domains: air, land, water, and cyberspace.
The federation was founded in 2023 year, and 24 February 2025 year technological sport received official state recognition. Today FTSU is developing a network of regional units, hosting nationwide and specialized competitions, and forming a system for training athletes and professionals for high-tech sectors.
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