Defense Ministry expert on Ukraine’s defense innovations, polar radio, and the war’s fifth year
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Serhii Beskrestnov, Advisor to the Minister of Defense (Photo: DR)
Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, a drone expert and advisor to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, shared his priorities, passions, and perspective with NV on its 12th anniversary, answering five questions about his personal mission, Ukraine’s wartime ingenuity, and his unique hobbies.
NV: What do you consider your greatest achievement in recent years?
Flash: I measure personal success by one thing only: saving the lives of our troops. If I’ve helped even one soldier return home alive to their family, then my life has had purpose. Since the first day of the war, I’ve shared advice, trained people, conducted frontline sessions, developed and tested protective equipment, and sent it all to the front.
What surprises you most about Ukraine or the world in the fifth year of this war?
What amazes me is Ukraine’s defense manufacturers. Despite economic and logistical challenges, they’ve advanced military technology at a pace that would take other countries decades in peacetime. This isn’t just true for civilian producers—it’s also true for the guys on the front lines who are building solutions with their own hands.
I’ve been to many international defense exhibitions, and in some areas, we’re ahead of other countries. Our technologies might be simpler, but they’re often more effective.
What do you want to achieve in the future?
My goal is to maximize protection for civilians in the rear and preserve our soldiers on the front. I’ve chosen to focus on life-saving technologies. We have plenty of people attacking the Russians, conducting deep strikes. But I understand our mobilization resources are limited: for every Russian killed, another takes their place. That’s not how it works for us.
My personal challenge is to use modern technology to protect people—to stop a jet-powered Shahed drone from hitting its target, like it did with my own home [which was destroyed by a Shahed drone overnight into April 20, leaving him injured].
What brings you the most satisfaction?
I love building things with my own hands, especially when I solve a technical problem or a complex task.
Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about amateur radio. There’s nothing like the thrill of connecting via radio with a remote island on the other side of the world or even a polar station in Antarctica.
Do you read or listen to NV? What do you like or dislike?
NV has been one of my go-to sources since the first day of the war. I frequently do interviews with Radio NV, and many of my publications appear on your site.
I genuinely consider NV one of the most forward-thinking and modern outlets. Your materials are professionally prepared, free of unverified information or sensationalism.
As someone with extensive experience in writing, I can see the high level of journalism, editing, and information selection in your work.
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