Ukrainian drone manufacturers use dark humor and symbolic names to boost soldier morale and psychological warfare against Russia.
Ukrainian drone manufacturers are utilizing dark humor and symbolic naming conventions to enhance psychological warfare and boost soldier morale during the ongoing conflict with Russia. The defense technology firm SkyFall produced the PS-1 Sun, nicknamed “pissioun” (Ukrainian slang for “penis”), which has become a global star and even inspired a new verb to describe the fate of Russian kamikaze drones. Other manufacturers also use deliberate naming to convey meaning. The company Fire Point produces the FP1 and FP2 drones, which internally stand for “Fuck Putin.” Meanwhile, the state weapons manufacturer Ukroboronprom produced the “Liutyi” drone, a name that translates to both “February” and “furious.” President Volodymyr Zelensky also chose the name “Peklo,” meaning “hell,” for an Ukroboronprom attack drone to symbolize vengeance for the destruction caused by Russia. These unconventional names serve as symbols of resistance, helping to inject levity into a country that has been at war for more than four years.