How Ordinary Ukrainians Crowdfunded a Satellite That’s Now Helping Destroy Russian Targets

In 2022, the Serhii Prytula Charity Foundation announced a fundraising campaign for three Bayraktar drones. Even though at that point civilian Ukrainians had already been organizing and collecting significant amounts of money to purchase equipment for soldiers at the frontline, the sum for the required drones seemed sky-high.

However, millions of Ukrainians donated anything from 10 hryvnias to hundreds and thousands per person, sharing the fundraiser on all possible platforms, and raised the necessary 600 million hryvnias — approximately $14 805 300 — within just three days.

Moved and touched by Ukraine’s determination to fight for its freedom, Turkey, the drone’s manufacturer, decided to provide them free of charge. So then the foundation, after much research and discussions, subsequently announced the purchase of nothing less than a satellite for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thus the name “People’s Satellite” — it was bought with money raised by Ukrainians of all ages and professions.

The Finnish Earth ICEYE observation satellite has been providing Ukraine with crucial data regarding Russian military objects for nearly two years.

At first, some people might have been a bit skeptical of the purchase — having raised a money for “Bayraktar” drones, it was expected to buy something that could demonstrate results straightaway, and the purchase of a satellite created some confusion. However, after nearly two years of usage, the undeniable effectiveness of the satellite have been proven and is impossible to argue with.

The effectiveness

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (HUR MO) disclosed that during its operational period with access to the ICEYE satellite constellation, Ukrainian experts have captured a total of 4,173 images of enemy targets. These include:

• 370 airfields;

• 238 air defense positions and radio reconnaissance sites;

• 153 oil depots and fuel warehouses;

• 147 stores of missile, aviation weaponry, and ammunition;

• 17 naval bases.

“Approximately 38% of all data collected by ICEYE has been used directly to prepare and execute strikes against the enemy, resulting in billions in losses for Russia as the cost of its aggression mounts”, stated HUR MO.

To point out a few instances of the Russian losses, inflicted with the help of the “People’s satellite” — according to HUR MO, it played a very important role in the attack on Sevastopol Bay on September 13, 2023, when the Russian landing ship “Minsk” and the submarine “Rostov-on-Don” were destroyed by Ukrainian forces. According to Forbes Ukraine estimates, “Minsk” costs about $110 million, while “Rostov-on-Don”, one of the most modern Russian marine technologies, costs nearly $400 million.

Therefore, “billions in losses” is not an exaggeration.

The Intelligence noted that reconnaissance from Earth’s orbit is crucial for providing data not only from temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine but also from locations worldwide where Russian military forces and assets operate; furthermore, the “People’s Satellite” enables tracking of Russian military-industrial complex facilities and their logistics network, including the illegal bridge connecting Russia to temporarily occupied Crimea.

How and why is the ICEYE satellite important for Ukraine?

One of the arguments against the purchase of the satellite was that foreign partners are already providing Ukraine with necessary imagery. But even though it’s true, there are delays and restrictions. However as the owner, Ukraine determines what data the satellite collects, when it collects it, and in what format and spectrum. The agreement also ensures that even after the paid access period to the database expires, Ukraine retains full ownership of the satellite as long as it remains operational in orbit.

Another advantage is that unlike optical satellites that can only operate during daylight and clear skies, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites like ICEYE act as a beacon, illuminating the Earth’s surface with their own radio waves. Therefore, obstacles such as night, clouds, rain, fog, or smoke do not affect their imaging capabilities. SAR satellites penetrate through all these with their radio waves.

Therefore, the data obtained from such satellites allows for distinguishing camouflaged objects, differentiating between decoys and real equipment, and identifying individual artificial objects in the surrounding landscape, such as vehicles or shelters hidden in forests.

Additionally, ICEYE’s lens targets:

• Permanent deployment points of Russian forces;

• Testing grounds;

• Military towns;

• Mobilization deployment centers.

The satellite is also insured; if anything happens to it before the guaranteed term of operation expires, the selling company will provide Ukraine with an identical replacement.

Technological innovations have already proved their significance on the frontlines of Ukraine with the implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles (aka drones). Russia’s war in Ukraine has been named “the war of technologies” by analysts multiple times, and is continuing to prove that modern problems require modern solutions. By purchasing its own satellite, Ukraine significantly reduced the data transmission time from the moment of capture to receipt by military units to just a few hours. In wartime conditions, the speed of information acquisition represents a significant advantage.

The story of the People’s Satellite shows what can be achieved when ordinary citizens come together for a common cause. This initiative highlights the impact that grassroots efforts can have on national defense. As Ukraine continues to use technology in its struggle for sovereignty, the story of the People’s Satellite remains a example of the strength and unity of its people.