Before the Full-Scale War, Dmytro Shavaldin Repaired Household Appliances. Now He Commands a UAV Unit of the 79th Brigade and Is a Hero of Ukraine.

The 79th Separate Tavria Air Assault Brigade of the 7th Air Assault Corps shared his story.

At the beginning of the full-scale war, Dmytro served as an infantryman in a reconnaissance platoon of an airmobile battalion. He fought in the Marinka area and later switched to unmanned systems.

At first, he was involved in aerial reconnaissance. He later began preparing munitions for drone drops himself and selecting them for specific targets.

The brigade says that “Hunter” was one of the first to use drone-dropped munitions to set Russian equipment on fire.

His crews also used this tactic against Russian convoys.

One of the most notable episodes took place near Krasnohorivka. During a major Russian assault, “Hunter” spotted a concentration of infantry.

According to the 79th Brigade, he destroyed 16 Russian soldiers with a single thermobaric munition and disrupted the further advance.

Dmytro could remain on positions for four to five months at a time.

During that period, he sustained wounds and concussions and was exposed to chemical gases. But he did not leave the service.

“I love my job, and I can rest even on a position. I arrange my living conditions so that I am always comfortable.”

Now “Hunter” not only operates drones himself but also trains new service members.

For his service, Dmytro Shavaldin has received the Order for Courage, 3rd Class, the Steel Cross, the Golden Cross and two Medals for Wounds.

In 2025, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.