Civilian workshops in Ukraine make drones to support frontline

Many civilian workshops in Ukraine are stepping up efforts to make first-person-view drones to help soldiers gain an advantage on the frontline.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is now in its third year, with no signs of slowing down. Both sides are exploring various methods to maintain their positions, including the use of drones.

In a makeshift workshop in Ukraine, teams of mechanics patch up tanks and armored vehicles, repairing old Soviet machines for use in today's conflict.

Volunteers modify and assemble drones for specific army brigades. The work is challenging, as many begin with little experience and must learn as they go.

"It is quite difficult because there are more specific requirements, and it is challenging to complete them. Put it this way, everybody who can, does this. Some people do more, some less. Some can build one or two drones a day; others are more skilled," said Serhii, a drone engineer.

The civilian workshops are funded by donations from people from all walks of life, aiming to arm soldiers with weapons that are affordable yet deadly.

"Some companies in Kharkiv, in Kiev, in other cities, like taxi networks for example, (are) gathering money for drones, from every trip. Just a few days ago, one of Kharkiv taxi companies started this program and we are thankful about it," said Dmytro Kutovyi, a former property developer who has been supporting the drone workshops.

FPV, or first-person-view, drones are compact in size and equipped with a battery, a camera, and an explosive device. They transmit wirelessly and are controlled by a soldier wearing goggles or via a smartphone, allowing them to record and attack.

"Now the war is a drone war, and this is really the robotic war. The most effective will be that part, or the side, of this war which uses technologies. So Ukraine now produces a lot of different high technologies," said Vladyslav, a member of the civilian workshop team.

Civilian workshops in Ukraine make drones to support frontline

The final match of "Village Basketball Association" Championship Tournament, an amateur rural basketball event that has become a nationwide sports phenomenon, was held on Friday in Taipan Village, Taijiang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The Shandong Huidong Group team claimed the title after a 101-71 triumph over the team from Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province.

The thrilling match lasted from afternoon to night, with basketball players from rural areas competing and demonstrating their skills, teamwork and passion, and tens of thousands of spectators from across the country cheering for the players.

"I've really felt how crowded this court is and how popular and hot the game can be. It's really exciting that we can experience country folk culture here," said Gao Qing, a spectator from Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province that is more than 3,000 kilometers away from Guizhou.

The championship tournament of "Village Basketball Association", or VBA -- a witty twist on North America's National Basketball Association -- is held annually in Taipan Village of Taijiang County in Guizhou's Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture as a part of rice harvest celebrations for local ethnic Miao people.

This year's tournament has involved more than 600 teams from across the country, of which eight played in the finals from Monday to Friday.

"All the fans would cheer for us no matter which team scores. It's really inspiring," said Wei Junjie, a player of Huxiang Village team from Bengbu City, east China's Anhui Province.

"It's a very good opportunity for us to learn from one another," said Chen Chen, a member of the runner-up team.

In addition to intensive basketball competitions, the court also hosted a karaoke, a concert and a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) show on the day to entertain the spectators.

Village basketball tournament concludes in southwest China’s Guizhou