26.01.2026
The Energy Cup charity football tournament has already become a traditional and significant event for Ukraine’s energy community. Since 2022, the Energy Cup has regularly gathered teams from the country’s leading energy enterprises on the football field.
Founded with the goal of supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and fostering informal communication between representatives of energy companies, the competition annually unites industry professionals for a noble cause.
This year, in early summer, Energy Club plans to hold VII Energy Cup 2026 charity football tournament to support the 20th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems “K-2”, commanded by the Hero of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel Kyrylo Veres.
About the war without illusions, life-saving technologies, and support that matters, we speak today with the legendary commander. In an interview with the Energy Club media department, Kyrylo Veres discussed the key challenges for the 20th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems “K-2”, the role of unmanned aerial and ground robotic systems in modern warfare, the importance of systemic support from business and society, and why, in a long-term war, duty and responsibility become stronger than any motivation.
— Mr. Kyrylo, we thank you and the entire personnel of the 20th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Systems “K-2” for defending Ukraine. Energy Club has repeatedly united Ukrainian businesses and the energy community to help your unit, particularly through the Energy Cup charity tournament. How significant is this support for K-2, and why, in your opinion, do such initiatives hold special value?
— Support from business and society is very important because it is not just the army fighting—it is the whole country. A country is, first and foremost, its people. It is businesses, both large and small. Naturally, such support is substantial.
— The full-scale war has been going on for four years now. What are the main challenges your unit faces today on the line of contact? What is the most difficult aspect of your daily work?
— I won’t say anything new—it is frontline logistics. Especially now, it is the evacuation of the wounded. Ground unmanned systems help us in this regard, reducing losses among soldiers, particularly in adjacent infantry and assault units.
— How is the character of combat changing, and what role do unmanned systems and modern technologies play in this? How critical are they for performing tasks and saving soldiers’ lives?
— If you look at the figures, the strength of the Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS), according to recently released statistics, was 2.2% of all Defense Forces. Now, after the launch of the recruitment campaign, it is slightly higher. As of last summer, that 2.2% accounted for 35% of all targets destroyed and hit across all Defense Forces. Add to this the drone units of the Land Forces and other branches of the military, and you can answer that question for yourself. Regarding saving lives—I have already partially answered that. The use of ground unmanned systems and their scaling throughout the Defense Forces directly impacts evacuation and, consequently, saving a soldier’s life.
— What equipment does K-2 currently need most urgently? How exactly does it strengthen the regiment’s capabilities and increase efficiency on the battlefield?
— There is a general need for everything. We have enough drones because the state provides them in sufficient quantities. However, we must not forget about building a high-quality system—retrofitting those same drones with communication systems, equipping vehicles with Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and everything else.
— At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians consolidated to help the front, and throughout 2022-2023, they actively donated and raised funds for everything our defenders needed. Now, volunteers note a decrease in active assistance from the population, while the needs of the front only grow. How important is systemic support from the home front in a long-term war?
— The fact that people sometimes fade or burn out is logical in a prolonged war. But we still have this support, and it remains critically important.
— Do you generally feel supported by Ukrainian business and civil society? How important to you is the unity between the front and the home front?
— It is extremely important.
— What is the morale like in the unit today? What helps the soldiers hold on, maintain motivation, and continue the fight?
— I cannot speak for all my personnel. As for me personally—there is no motivation. What should it be? This is my job and my duty as a man and a citizen. What other “additional” motivation should there be?
— Besides material aid, what other forms of support are important and tangible for the military?
— Any support is important to the extent of people’s abilities. If a person does everything in their power—it is always felt and influences the result.
— And finally: what would you like to say to Ukrainians working on the home front and to the international partners supporting Ukraine in this war?
— Thank you to everyone who supports the military and to everyone who supports our country. The struggle continues. Glory to Ukraine!
