Simply having a “Chuyka” drone detector is not enough to protect journalists working in frontline areas — knowing how to use it correctly is critically important. Borys Budeianskyi, Product Director at BlueBird Tech, discussed this during Donbas Media Forum 2026.
According to him, the company works around the clock to develop and upgrade solutions designed to protect the lives of both military personnel and civilians.
“We are constantly thinking about how to provide additional protection, enable safer movement, and warn people about threats. However, proper training must come first. Even the devices we manufacture will be of no use if people do not understand how to use them, under what conditions they can operate, and what information they can provide. Most importantly, users need to understand how to act on that information,” Borys Budeianskyi explains.
As unmanned technologies continue to evolve, not only the line of contact but also roads and settlements used by civilians, including journalists, are becoming increasingly dangerous.
The detector helps identify signals emitted by unmanned aerial vehicles, provides advance warning of a potential threat, and enables users to consider this information when making decisions. However, the device is not a substitute for risk assessment, compliance with safety procedures, or coordination with the military personnel accompanying a reporting team.
“Above all, we focus on explaining as clearly as possible how people should use these devices. This is one of the most important factors in ensuring that the devices work effectively: it is not enough simply to manufacture and distribute them — users must also understand how they should be used,” emphasises the Product Director at BlueBird Tech.
The discussion participants agreed that protective equipment should not be regarded as a guarantee of absolute safety. Serhii Tomilenko, President of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, highlighted the risk of having unrealistic expectations of such equipment.
“People sometimes treat protective equipment almost like a talisman — an object that is expected to provide a sense of security. However, the emotional need for such reassurance does not change the technology’s limitations. Equipment must be used in conjunction with proper training and an up-to-date assessment of potential threats,” Serhii Tomilenko notes.
BlueBird Tech emphasises that technological solutions can enhance safety, but their effectiveness also depends on how well users understand the operating principles of the device and whether they know how to use it under specific conditions.
Увійдіть тим самим акаунтом, що й у застосунку Чуйка та програмі Blue Coins.
