drone cruise control

Steady as she goes: How to use DJI's new 'Cruise Control' on Mavic 3 series drones

When DJI introduced its Mavic 3 Classic drone on November 2nd, it came with a new 'Cruise Control' feature, an update that's also available to the rest of the Mavic 3 series via a firmware update. Like the name suggests, you hit a button when you're operating at a comfortable speed and the drone will fly at that exact pace until it's deactivated. This allows the remote pilot to focus on other aspects of the flight, such as direction and maneuvers, freeing them up to create smoother and more dynamic video footage.

Before this release, the only way you could get your drone to stick to a steady pace, while still letting you control altitude, direction and gimbal pitch, was when capturing a hyperlapse in 'Free' mode. Cruise Control also works with Spotlight mode, and APAS 5.0 will still do its job as well.

I was able to test Cruise Control's stability in windy conditions. The DJI Mavic 3 series can withstand a maximum wind speed of 43.2 km/h (26.8 mph). I activated the feature in winds that were a few km/h slower and found that the drone held its set pace steadily. I would not recommend trying to operate in conditions that exceed the maximum wind resistance, with Cruise Control switched on or off.

Activating Cruise Control, which is also available on the Mavic 3 standard and Cine models with the latest v01.00.0900 firmware update, is not as straightforward as accessing other features. Here is a walk-through of how to get it up and running:

• In the DJI Fly app, select the three-dot icon on the top-right-hand side.
• On the top navigation bar, scroll to the second option: 'Control.'
• Scroll down to 'Button Customization.'
• On the top, you'll see scroll-down menus for the customizable 'C1' and 'C2' buttons that, in this example using the DJI RC remote, can be found on the back of the remote.
• Select 'Cruise Control' and exit the menu.

You're then ready to use the feature. Once you've reached a desired speed and are ready to record a video clip, simply press the button you designated for Cruise Control on the back of the remote. You'll get a notification on your screen that it's been activated. On the middle-left-hand side of the app, you'll see a red 'x' icon that you can press to deactivate Cruise Control and return to manual speed control.

Besides the Cruise Control feature, DJI gave the Mavic 3 series a few other updates in this latest firmware version. Recording in the newly added 'Night' mode now supports up to 4K/30p footage at ISO 800 to 12800. ISO 1600 is now available for recording in D-Log. Spotlight and POI have been added to the telephoto camera on the standard and Cine models. Color issues in Raw files have been fixed as well.

A new 'Night Mode' icon will be found below 'Normal' and above 'Slow Motion' in the extended Video menu. I tested out ISO 6400 and 12,800 with this new feature; judge the results for yourself below.

As promised in the initial DJI Mavic 3 Classic news announcement , this drone joins the standard and Cine models in having support for EU C1 certification across most of Europe and Remote ID (RID) in the United States.

Full v01.00.0900 firmware update information can be found in DJI's regularly-updated Mavic 3 Release Notes .

Will this come to the Mini 3 Pro?

Yes, eager for this to come to my M3P

It is in the hyperlapse.

Right now it is a feature on the Mini 4 Pro.

A few years ago, if someone told me that drones would be a thing, I wouldn't have believed it.

few years ago they already were a thing

Actually, drones are merely a continuation of aerial reconnaissance photography which has been with us for over a hundred years. It was widely used in both world wars, but it was expensive then. Now almost anyone can afford it.

dlb41, Huh? So it is a thing...but it's not really a thing? Things have flons with cameras in the past so drones are not really new? Which is it? But to your FIRST point, it is interesting that drones are actually a consumer product now that makes gathering aerial images and video very easy for most middle class people is pretty amazing.

I’d like to see this added to the Air 2S, but I doubt that will happen.

This brings up an old problem with DJI remote controls: too few function buttons. My drones are both flying vehicles and cameras. Still, they have much fewer function buttons than my Panasonics, which are only cameras. In this case, by dedicating a function button to the cruise control, I would have to take that function button from another function.

An ordinary camera that requires me to dive into screen menus for essential functionality would be a total non-starter for me. Still, that is what I have to accept wih a drone, a device that is much more complicated to operate, and that includes safety considerations that ordinary cameras don't have. The philosophy behind this is strange to put it mildly.

I agree. The cruise control really is an outstanding upgrade and I am thankful for it, but it also highlights the primitive remote. An argument (not mine) can be made that the "in box" controller should be just bare bones and that the optional upgrade remote could be available for those who want. However, the RC remote that is reasonable affordable has only one extra button and the RC remote pro is ludicrously expensive. Strange considering their older, cheaper remotes had more functionality

Does anybody know if the camera control dial on the advanced controllers can be used for exposure compensation and/or aperture control for drones that have that? In the user manuals both for the RC Pro and the RC it only says "Adjust the zoom". Many "three hand moves", typically involving gimbal control, ascent/descent control and back or forward movements also often require exposure adjustments, but since I have only three hands, I can't simultaneously reach the LCD to adjust exposure.

@zakk9 With the RC Pro you can adjust EV compensation with the 5D rocker, use a wheel to set aperture or shutter and a combination of C buttons and a wheel to change ISO. The RC Pro is expensive but it gives very convenient direct access with programable buttons to some of the essential camera settings, as described above

@zakk9: You can configure what the right wheel does, as well as assign different control for it when C1 or C2 is pressed, on the simpler RC remote as well.

@kikimora: Ohh, I didn't know you could assign different function when C1 or C2 is pressed... that is really good to know. Thanks!

@mmarian @kikimora Thanks. I can't find this information in the user manual. Is it my reading abilities or is it really not there?

Interesting. Haven't tried this...yet. I might program one of the rear buttons to invoke it.

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Mavic 3 Classic

How does cruise control work on dji mavic 3 classic drone.

DJI drones have several automated shooting modes that enable even new pilots to capture creative videos. However, an extremely useful feature that has typically remained restricted to FPV offerings or hidden under Free Hyperlapse is Cruise Control. That changes with the new Mavic 3 Classic unleashing the function across Normal, Cine, and Sport mode in addition to APAS, Free Hyperlapse, and Spotlight.

What is Cruise Control on DJI drones?

The Cruise Control feature allows you to set a constant flight speed for your drone, so you can focus on the footage without worrying about precise joystick action. Since the function minimizes any camera shake from manual speed control, you get much more professional-looking videos and a smoother recording experience overall.

Essentially, when conditions permit, the drone can lock the current control stick input of the remote control. At the same time, the feature also supports more camera movements such as spiraling up by increasing the control stick input.

Read: We are not a Chinese military company, drone giant DJI insists

How to use Cruise Control on Mavic 3 drone series

To enable this feature, you need to set one of the customizable buttons on your DJI drone remote controller to Cruise Control. Go to the DJI Fly app, select System Settings, Control, and then set the C1 or C2 button of the DJI RC remote controller or the Fn button of the RC-N1 remote controller to Cruise Control.

To activate the function, push the control stick in any direction while simultaneously pressing the Cruise Control button. The aircraft will fly at the speed indicated by your control stick input. The control stick can be released and will automatically return to the center. Before the control stick returns to the center, press the Cruise Control button again, and the aircraft will reset the flight speed based on the current control stick input.

You may also push the control stick after it returns to the center, and the aircraft will fly at the increased speed based on the previous speed. To finalize the increase in speed, press the Cruise Control button again.

Read: At a glance: DJI Mavic 3 Classic vs. Air 2S vs. Mavic 2 Pro

Exiting Cruise Control is also quite simple – you can press the Cruise Control button without a control stick input, flight pause button of the remote controller, or tap Disable Cruise Control to exit Cruise Control.

Note that Cruise Control cannot be started, or will exit automatically, when the aircraft is nearing its maximum altitude or distance. Cruise Control will also not function if the drone disconnects from the remote controller or DJI Fly app. Other conditions that may limit this function include an obstacle that tips the aircraft to hover in place, flight modes being switched, or RTH/auto-landing getting activated.

Read: Litchi app update fixes takeoff error for DJI Air 2S drone

DJI Mavic 3 Classic price and buying options

DJI’s new drone is available to buy in three different configurations:

●  Mavic 3 Classic (drone only)  does not include a remote controller or charger, and is ideal for owners of existing DJI drones who are ready to move up to the top-of-the-line camera performance of Mavic 3. It is compatible with any existing DJI RC-N1, DJI RC, or DJI RC Pro controller. It is available for  $1,469 .

●  Mavic 3 Classic  includes a charger and the original RC-N1 remote controller. It can be picked up for  $1,599 .

●  Mavic 3 Classic (DJI RC)  includes a charger and the DJI RC remote controller. Its price is  $1,749 .

●  Mavic 3 Fly More Kit   includes two Intelligent Flight Batteries, a Battery Charging Hub (100W), a 65W Car Charger, three pairs of Low-Noise Propellers, and a DJI Convertible Carrying Bag. It is available for  $649 .

Read: Candy Crush drone show to light up New York City skyline on Nov. 3

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What’s In the Box?

Charging Instructions

Charging method.

Fully charge the Intelligent Flight Battery before each use. It is recommended to use the charging devices provided by DJI, such as DJI Mini 3 Series Two-Way Charging Hub , DJI 30W USB-C Charger , or other USB Power Delivery chargers. Please follow the instructions provided below to properly charge the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller:

Charging Duration

During the charging process, the battery level LEDs of both the Intelligent Flight Battery and remote controller will blink sequentially, indicating the current battery level. Once all the battery level LEDs are off, it indicates that the battery is fully charged and charging is complete. Please disconnect the aircraft and charger.

Battery Maintenance

The battery automatically checks the voltage differences between battery cells and decides whether maintenance is required. In case of a significant voltage difference requiring maintenance, after the battery is inserted into the aircraft and powered on, the aircraft will not be able to take off, and a prompt for maintenance will appear in DJI Fly. Upon receiving the battery maintenance prompt in the app, follow the instructions to fully charge the battery and let it stand still for 48 hours.

For more information on battery maintenance, please refer to the Battery Daily Maintenance Guide .

Activating Your Device

Prior to utilizing all functionalities of DJI Mini 4 Pro, it is essential to activate the product through DJI Fly during the initial usage.

Attaching and Removing the Gimbal Protector

Removing the Gimbal Protector

Attaching the Gimbal Protector

Powering on/off the Device

Press, and then press and hold the Power button on the aircraft or remote controller to power on or off the device.

Activating the Remote Controller

Remove the control sticks from their storage slots on the remote controller and screw them into place. Power on the remote controller and follow the on-screen prompts to activate the remote controller.

Downloading DJI Fly

When using the DJI RC-N2 remote controller, click to download the DJI Fly app  onto your mobile device for use.     

Connection and Linking

The remote controller is already linked to the aircraft when purchased together as a combo. Therefore, you can directly power on and activate your device for usage.

Activating the Aircraft

DJI Mini 4 Pro requires activation with DJI Fly before first use. After powering on the aircraft and remote controller, run DJI Fly, and follow the on-screen prompts to activate DJI Mini 4 Pro. An internet connection is required for activation.

For an overview of how to activate your device, watch the video below:

You can go to the Device Info Inquiry  page to check the activation information, warranty period, and DJ Care service plan benefits.

Attaching and Detaching the Propellers

Camera drones have two types of propellers and motors: CW and CCW, which are designed to spin in different directions. Marks are used to indicate which propellers should be attached to which motors.

Attach the marked propellers to the marked motors, and the unmarked propellers to the motors without marks.

To learn more about how to attach or detach the propellers, check the video:  

First Flight

After the aircraft and remote controller are activated, please watch the video to get easy-to-use operations before you head out to fly.

Firmware Update

A prompt will appear in the DJI Fly app if a new firmware is available. Follow the on-screen instructions to update the firmware. The DJI RC 2 remote controller or mobile device must be connected to the internet during firmware update.

Advanced Usage

Portrait mode.

The camera will rotate 90 degrees when switching to the Portrait mode, for shooting portrait footage. (Portrait mode is not supported when using Pano or the Asteroid shooting mode in QuickShots.)

To gain a comprehensive understanding of recording in the Portrait mode, please watch the video below:

DJI Mini 4 Pro supports Panorama shooting mode, including Sphere, 180°, Wide Angle, and Vertical.

Watch this video to know more about the Panorama function:

FocusTrack includes Spotlight, Point of Interest, and ActiveTrack. 

For an overview of how to use FocusTrack, watch the video below:

MasterShots

The MasterShots mode allows DJI Mini 4 Pro to automatically perform diverse camera movements, shoot and edit multiple clips, and generate a short cinematic video.

Refer to this video for using MasterShots:

QuickShots shooting modes include Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Helix, Boomerang, and Asteroid.

For an overview of how to use QuickShots, watch the video below:

Hyperlapse shooting modes include Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint.

For an overview of how to use Hyperlapse, watch the video below:

Waypoint Flight

Waypoint Flight brings automated flight experience. The aircraft can capture images during a flight according to the waypoint flight route generated by the preset waypoints.

Watch this video for more details about Waypoint Flight:

Cruise Control

The cruise control function enables the aircraft to lock the current control stick input of the remote controller when conditions permit. Without the need to continually move the control sticks, long distance flights become more effortless.

Watch this video for more details about Cruise Control:

Storing and Exporting Footage

Installing and removing a memory card.

Upon receiving your purchased memory card , you will also find a card holder that doubles as a memory card adapter, which is designed to seamlessly connect the TF slot of a computer, enabling easy transfer of footage. Please note that the memory card is inserted into the aircraft without the card adapter.

Click to learn more about  Installation and Removal of Drone Storage Card .

Storing Photos and Videos

Exporting photos and videos .

1. Use QuickTransfer to export the footage to a mobile phone.

2. Connect the aircraft to a computer using a data cable, export the footage in the internal storage of the aircraft or in the microSD card mounted on the aircraft. The aircraft does not need to be powered on during the exporting process.

3. Remove the microSD card from the aircraft and insert it into a card reader, and export the footage in the microSD card through the card reader.

Click on Aircraft Photo or Video Files Export Guide for a step-by-step guide to exporting photos or videos from the aircraft.

Available Accessories 

With its great accessories, DJI Mini 4 Pro helps you put the icing on the cake. For detailed information on compatible accessories, click on Aircraft Accessory Compatibility . Or explore the extensive range of accessories at the  DJI Store , where a wide array of options awaits you!

Attaching and Detaching the ND Filter

Tips for flight safety.

We've rounded up some coping tips for flight safety and we'd like to share them with you, including local laws and regulations (flight limit and drone transportation requirements), pre-flight checklist, and environmental considerations.    

Regulations and Policies

1. As laws and regulations regarding drones can vary widely depending on location, please check local policies and regulations before flying:  Checking Local Regulations & GEO Zones .

2. To help users fly more responsibly, we’re offering this exclusive guide highlighting the drone laws and battery transportation policies of over 20 popular destinations around the globe. Click Here.

Environmental Consideration

1.  Always fly in open areas and keep your drone within line of sight. For safety reasons, you should never fly above people, animals, or moving vehicles:  Flight Safety Guidelines .

2.  Minimize interference by avoiding areas with tall and dense buildings.

3.  The maximum flight altitude of the aircraft is 500 m. For details about maximum flight distance, refer to the Specifications in the official website. Beginner pilots should not be able to fly very far. Click Altitude and Distance Limit  to know more.  

Please note that the vision systems cannot work properly in any of the following situations:

1) Flying over extremely dark surfaces, water or transparent surfaces, monochrome surfaces, or surfaces without clear patterns or texture;  

2) Flying over obstacles with small surface areas (e.g., tree branches).

Device Checklist

1.  Make sure that the propellers are mounted properly, and check if the propellers are broken or bent. 2.  Remove the gimbal protector before powering on the drone and make sure that the battery is mounted in place (a click can be heard). 3.  After the device is powered on and connected, check if there are any warnings shown in the app. If yes, follow on-screen instructions and fly the drone after no warnings are detected.

DJI Care Service Plan

DJI Care Refresh is a comprehensive and reliable protection plan that provides DJI products with coverage for a range of accidental damages such as collision, water damage, flyaway, and natural wear.

This part walks you through details of DJI Care Refresh, including the applicable scenarios, purchase conditions, benefit descriptions, and purchase channels.

· Click here to know more if you have not yet purchased a service plan:  Purchasing DJI Care Refresh Service Plans .

Consult the content below for a step-by-step guide to activating, binding, and using your service plan, as well as knowing about the replacement fee.

· Click here to know more if you have already purchased a service plan: DJI Care Service Plan User Guide .

You can also find more entertaining and useful flight tutorials and tips in DJI Academy and User Manual .

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Drone News Roundup: Cruise Control Available for All Mavic 3 Drones, Masterful FPV Freestyle Flying, and More!

By zacc dukowitz.

This week we’re covering the news that cruise control is now available for all drones in the Mavic 3 series.

We’re also covering a fun FPV freestyle video showcasing flying from Alex Vanover, a drone made to wash windows, an edible drone made to save lives, and a new radiation sensor for drones from Teledyne FLIR.

Now let’s get to those links!

Cruise Control Now Available for All Mavic 3 Drones

When DJI released the Mavic 3 Classic last week, it came with a feature that other Mavic 3 drones didn’t have—cruise control. At the same time as the release, cruise control was made available for all other Mavic 3 drones via a firmware update (aircraft firmware update v01.00.0900), bringing this feature to the Mavic 3 Standard, Cine, and Enterprise. Cruise control allows you to set a constant flight speed for the drone, so you can focus on the footage you’re getting without worrying about the acceleration/deceleration of the drone. An additional benefit to going at a steady speed is that it reduces camera shake associated with manual speed control, allowing you to shoot smoother, more professional footage overall.

Masterful FPV Freestyle Flying from Alex Vanover

Alex Vanover is one of the best FPV drone pilots in the world. In 2017 he won his first national championship with the Drone Racing League (DRL), and in 2019 he won the world championship. In addition to racing, his piloting has been featured in action movies like Michael Bay’s Ambulance , and he also does fast, impressive flying like the footage featured here in this mashup. Hope you enjoy it!

Drones for Window Washing

Across most industries where drones are used, they’re typically seen as a tool for collecting information remotely—information like video footage, still images, or LiDAR data for 3D models. But the drones of the future will most likely be able not only to collect information, but also to do work. A good example of this is featured in the video above, which showcases a drone that’s been outfitted to do window washing. The drone is made by a company called Lucid Drone Technologies and it operates with a tether, allowing it to fly as long as needed to complete the job.

Swiss Scientists Make Edible Drone for Lifesaving Scenarios

Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland (the same city where indoor drone company Flyability is headquartered) recently unveiled an edible drone designed to save lives. The drone is made in part of rice cakes and gelatin and it can reportedly boost its payload of food from 30% to 50% of its mass. The drone is made for a single use—you fly to where a person is in desperate need of food, and then they eat it (well, part of it anyway).

Teledyne FLIR Unveils Radiation Detecting Payload

Teledyne FLIR recently launched a new payload for drones that can detect, locate, measure, map, and identify radioactive sources from the air. The payload is called the R430 and it’s made to be carried by the company’s SkyRanger R70. As the drone industry matures, new types of sensing technology are being developed to support work in various industries—and the nuclear sector is one of the places that’s rapidly adopting drone technology. Last year, indoor drone company Flyability released a version of its drone equipped with a radiation sensor called the Elios 2 RAD made only for flying in confined spaces, and we’re sure to see more technologies released in the coming years to support remote radiation sensing, as well as sensing for other types of work.

Make sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter using the button below so you can get our weekly newsletter every Saturday, with this roundup and our other featured stories from the week.

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Are drones allowed on cruise ships?

Drones — small remote-controlled flying devices, many of which are equipped with cameras — have become one of the best ways to snag aerial photos of some of the world's most picturesque destinations, as well as footage of cruise ships. With that in mind, many travelers are naturally curious about whether they can take drones on a cruise and if they can fly a drone while on a cruise ship.

At the time of publication, only three of the industry's eight major cruise lines permit passengers to bring drones on board.

Even in cases where drones are allowed, cruisers cannot fly them from the ship. They are for use in port only, and cruisers are responsible for adhering to any local regulations, including rules about how far drones must stay from buildings, vessels and restricted areas, such as airports. In some instances, the location may require a permit to use the drone. Passengers who don't follow any of these regulations risk incurring fines or having their drones confiscated by their cruise line or local authorities.

Here's a rundown of cruise line drone policies.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line's drone policy allows cruisers to bring drones for port use only. The aircraft must be stored with the chief security officer and checked out and back in by the owner when going ashore and returning to the ship.

Celebrity Cruises

On Celebrity ships, drones are permitted for use ashore only, and they must be operated outside of the port area. When on the ship, they are to be stored in passenger cabins. Anyone caught using a drone on board will receive a guest conduct warning and could risk temporary drone confiscation, as well as early disembarkation.

Disney Cruise Line

Passengers on Disney Cruise Line are not allowed to bring drones on board.

Holland America Line

Drones and other remote-controlled aerial devices aren't permitted on any of Holland America 's ships.

MSC Cruises

MSC includes drones on its list of banned items that cannot be brought on board.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian includes "any remote-controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys or drones" on its prohibited items list.

Princess Cruises

"Drones ... and any other remote-controlled aerial devices/toys" aren't allowed on Princess cruises.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean 's cruise drone policy is identical to Celebrity's: Drones are permitted for use only on land, outside of the port area. When on the ship, they are to be stored in passenger cabins. Anyone caught using a drone on board could receive a guest conduct warning or be debarked early from the voyage.

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Skydio R1 autonomous drone review: cruise control

The world’s first fully autonomous consumer drone is a peek at the future of robotic aviation.

By Nick Statt , is a Senior Producer on Decoder. Previously, he wrote about technology and gaming for Naavik, Protocol, and The Verge.

Photography by Vjeran Pavic

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The purpose of a consumer drone remains nebulous these days. Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a different answer. Drones are great for sophisticated aerial photography and video, but they’re also adept at surveying empty lots of land and crowded real estate, or measuring agricultural yield and helping climate model the Arctic. But what’s the point of a drone for the everyday consumer, for you or me? That’s not readily apparent. Even as drones get more sophisticated, cheaper, and smaller, there isn’t an easy answer beyond the fact that unmanned aerial vehicles are cool gadgets and fun to fly — granted, where and when the Federal Aviation Administration deems it legal to do so.

But what if a drone was smart enough to handle itself, in any and all situations? What if the drone didn’t need to be flown at all, because software did it for you? What you might do with a drone of that caliber is up to you, but the possibilities are indeed tantalizing. And that’s the pitch from Skydio, a Redwood City, California-based startup that sells arguably the world’s first fully autonomous consumer drone . Called the R1 and announced back in February, the $2,500 device uses a blend of cameras, sensors, and a powerful Nvidia-made onboard computer — the very same chip set that powers self-driving cars — to map its surroundings, plan and predict its flight path, and avoid all manner of obstacles as it tracks a single human subject.

The company hopes its drone, and the sophisticated artificial intelligence that pilots it, will reframe the question of “why buy such a device?” into “what can this device do for me?” Do you like running, cycling, or action sports like skateboarding? Do you want to capture yourself performing those activities in almost any environment, and with a variety of professional-looking camera angles? Skydio thinks that a mix of eager drone-loving early adopters and action sports junkies will buy into that vision right now, even at the steep price of $2,500. But down the line, the company hopes the computer vision software that powers its autonomous algorithms can be packed into drones that are far more accessible.

A self-flying drone is an appealing concept. And after spending a couple of weeks with the R1 Frontier Edition, the first run of the product manually assembled out of the startup’s Silicon Valley headquarters, I can say that I’m a believer. Every consumer drone should be as sophisticated as the Skydio, because it transforms the prospect of owning a drone for something you do for the sake of it, or for a very specific niche purpose, into a matter of what you might be able to film when you don’t need a human pilot to fly it or a camera operator to capture footage. The R1 does both simultaneously, and it’s great at it.

The R1 is first and foremost an autonomous video capture device — it does not capture photos, despite having a gimbal-stabilized 4K camera. (You can capture Instagram-ready HD stills from the companion app’s stored video clips if you like, but they won’t be any more hi-res than something you’d capture with a smartphone.) As a video camera in the sky, the R1 uses its 13 onboard cameras and a mix of depth and motion sensors to track a subject and perform all the feats of self-piloting required to keep the drone from injuring itself and others during flight. Skydio is so confident in its abilities that the R1 doesn’t even ship with a controller. Everything is managed through the app.

From an anonymous startup with a nonexistent track record, that level of confidence might be concerning. Yet the co-founders of Skydio were among the first engineers hired to get Google’s Project Wing drone delivery initiative off the ground. They have extensive experience in UAV development and in the computer vision techniques to help drones perform safely and autonomously. The company has parlayed this experience into tens of millions of dollars of investment from a variety of Silicon Valley firms and technology companies. So in my book, Skydio gets the seal of approval, at least to trust that its device does what the company claims it can.

So how well does the R1 work? Almost flawlessly, it turns out. I took the R1 to a park in San Francisco for an entire day of filming, partly to capture the R1 in action and as a way to put the device through its paces. I wanted to test how well the drone could maneuver through a complicated, tree-heavy environment, how well it could keep up at high speeds as it followed someone riding a bike, and whether it worked well in an extremely busy situation like a skatepark on the edge of the park, next to a bustling street full of cars and power lines.

As for setting the drone up, it’s quite simple. Once you’ve charged one of the two included 16-minute batteries, you slot it into the back of the drone and power it up. From there, you connect it to your phone via a special Wi-Fi network, and the drone will sync with the mobile app, which performs pre-flight checks and makes sure nothing is obstructing the R1’s immediate surroundings. Taking off is achieved by dragging up a round white button labeled on the drone’s full-screen live camera feed. (You land it by doing the opposite motion on the large white “Land” button.)

Once in flight, you can manually control the R1 from the Skydio app, using spartan on-screen height and directional toggles. But the moment you tap the circular bubble floating over your face or another human being the Skydio recognizes in its line of the sight, the device snaps into position and begins following its subject in one of a half-dozen different capture modes. Those range from a follow mode for over-the-shoulder shots to a lead mode for front-facing ones to “orbit,” which sends the R1 in a smooth 360-degree arc around either a static or a moving subject.

The first trial run with the R1 involved having it follow me through a dense series of trees, off the well-worn hiking path of the park. The drone had never seen this particular environment before. In fact, it had never seen anything but the wide open fields of San Francisco I used to test the mobile test and drone start-up process.

Yet the R1 was able to deftly dodge tree trunks and branches and even keep up with me as I transitioned from a brisk walk to a light jog. It can’t be stressed enough how smoothly the R1 approaches its tasks. It hardly ever stops outright, and thanks to Skydio’s path-planning and prediction techniques, the drone is always taking smooth and natural arcs around obstacles as it follows you.

This was exemplified by the biking portion of our test, when I had the R1 follow me through a couple loops of a winding bike path. I could hear the drone behind me, yet as I rode I was able to forgot almost completely about the drone’s safety or whether it could keep up. When I returned to my starting position, I was able to land the drone off to the side of the bike path and fire up the video previews to check my footage, all of it smooth and flawless.

The final test was more rigorous. We took the R1 to the Balboa Skatepark, which is located next to busy streets in a nearby San Francisco neighborhood. We had the drone follow me as I made a number of laps around the ramps and quarter pipes of the park, using a number of different shooting modes to see how well the R1 could handle such a tight space and fast-moving subject.

It did run into some hiccups. It lost me on one occasion, notifying me of the situation via the mobile app and harmlessly hovering in place while it awaited instruction. In another instance, it unfollowed me and began tracking Verge video director Vjeran Pavic as he traveled behind me on his own skateboard. And while the R1 kept its composure even when flying close to a fence and nearby power lines, it was still a nerve-wracking experience.

Of course, Skydio doesn’t suggest anyone do this with their drone; the company advises you follow FAA guidelines closely, and flying the Skydio near busy streets or large crowds is not among them. Still, it was astounding to see the R1 keep its cool in such a hectic situation.

Of course, we can’t talk about autonomous drones without mentioning the giant, consumer electronics juggernaut in the room: DJI. The Chinese company is far and away the leading drone maker on the planet, and its drones have become increasingly sophisticated in both hardware and software. The new Mavic Air , priced at just $799, is a perfect example of DJI’s multi-year efforts in hardware miniaturization and equally impressive software automation. Though you need to use a remote control to fly a DJI drone, including the entry-level Spark, nearly the entire DJI lineup comes with a suite of impressive self-piloting features that let the drones track a subject automatically and avoid obstacles much like the Skydio R1 does.

You’re not getting the same level of sophistication with a DJI as you would with a Skydio-made product, and that’s made clear from the first few minutes you see the R1 in action. For one, the R1 can be used solo, allowing you to capture footage of yourself that would be impossible for a DJI drone to capture without a second human pilot behind the joysticks. But that’s where the crucial divide between a DJI product and the Skydio R1 becomes clear. DJI drones are best-in-class for amateur to professional piloting and aerial photography and video.

The autonomous features on a DJI model are there to help the less experienced pilot improve their skills and not hurt anyone in the process, while the device’s camera is capable of the kinds of photos and videos a dedicated hobbyist or professional shooter would rightfully want to capture. The Skydio R1 is a offering a whole different value proposition, and if you really only want to capture cool photos and videos of top-down landscape or slow-motion city shots, you’re better off with a DJI Mavic model.

That are a lot of other compromises with the R1 that are worth mentioning. For one, the device doesn’t shoot hi-res photos like those competing DJI drones, so if you’re primarily buying a drone to snap really cool aerial photography, the R1 isn’t the device for you. And even though it does have a 4K video camera, the sensor itself isn’t quite as robust as you might like, resulting in some grainess and noise in the final video product.

The R1’s video output is also lacking in dynamic range, and the camera itself cannot be configured with color profiles in the mobile app, something competing DJI drones are capable of. For shooting settings, you’re basically on full auto, meaning you can’t change shutter speed or ISO, you can’t achieve slow-motion, and you can’t customize the white balance. The R1 only comes with just 16 minutes on a single battery charge, which is less than a standard DJI model. There’s also no SD or microSD card slot, but there is 64GB of built-in storage, which is more than enough for the 32 minutes of flight time you get with the R1’s two batteries.

Yet for all the R1’s setbacks and downsides, what you do get with the product is peace of mind that you will always have excellent, smooth, and stunning video. The device captures everything from the moment it takes off, which might be a downside if you waste valuable flying time checking your phone notifications or tying your shoes. But that way, you don’t need to worry about hitting record or having forgotten to do so before mounting your bicycle. All the footage is there, waiting for you in the mobile app previews and in high-resolution on the R1’s internal memory.

The company says that over time, it wants to improve the device’s shooting mode and photography capabilities, something it can do both through over-the-air updates for the drone and Skydio app, and in a later, general-run version of the hardware. Skydio won’t say when it plans on producing a successor of the R1’s Frontier Edition, as that’s contingent on establishing suppliers in China.

Yet Skydio has big ambitions for a future when its vision software can be packed into drones everyone can afford, and when the stigma around unmanned aerial vehicles as dangerous and silly has all but evaporated. That future is coming, and DJI is racing to be at the front of the pack for when the moment comes that mainstream consumers start considering drones as fun toys and secondary cameras, rather than silly and unnecessary investments. But with the R1, Skydio has proven that the intelligence of its software can really make a difference and turn even the most mundane of outdoor activities into an awesome aerial montage. It’s safe to assume DJI will match Skydio in time, but for now, the R1 is the autonomous drone to beat.

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Elon Musk confirms his threat: give me 25% of Tesla or you don’t get AI and robotics

Elon Musk appears to confirmed and even clarify what can be seen as a threat to Tesla shareholders: give me 25% of the company or I won’t build AI and robotic products at the company, after making clear that the company is worthless without those.

In recent years, Musk has repeatedly stated that Tesla is an AI and robotics company. He has even said that Tesla is worth virtually nothing without self-driving, its main AI product.

More recently, the CEO has not only said that but has also been making moves to ensure that this is the only path for Tesla, like canceling the cheaper Tesla vehicle on the unboxed platform in favor of its upcoming Robotaxi.

That’s why it was really concerning when the CEO suggested that he is “uncomfortable” building AI products at Tesla unless he has “25% control over the company” – something he doesn’t have right now – partly because he decided to sell tens of billions of dollars worth of Tesla shares to buy Twitter.

Musk currently owns about 13% of Tesla’s shares. If his 2018 compensation package goes through, he will be closer to 18% – assuming that he sells some shares to pay for taxes. It means that he would need another compensation package worth tens of billions or a new share class at Tesla to give him more control.

In a new post on X, the CEO now appears to confirm his previous threat and even makes the quiproquo clearer by approving this message:

If Elon gets 25% voting power, Tesla is reincorporated in Texas, and compensation package is approved, then AI & Robotics stays within Tesla and the company can march on forward to become the largest company in the world.

By approving of this post, the CEO appears to say that these conditions are needed for him not to divert AI and robotics products away from Tesla:

• get 25% voting power over Tesla
• Reincorporate Tesla in Texas
• reapprove his 2018 compensation package

Electrek’s Take

This is bizarre. The CEO of a major public company is publicly threatening to move products he himself claims are critical to Tesla’s success if he doesn’t a greater percentage of the company.

Top comment by neilw

This should be immediate grounds for termination. Given the captive BoD it won't happen, but JFC already.

I can say “move” here because Elon agreed with this idiotic comment that mentions “AI and robotics staying within Tesla”. This is a clearer threat than what he previously made, which was about being “uncomfortable building AI products” at Tesla.

Wild. I don’t even know how he could legally do that, but as CEO, he could do a lot of damage if he wanted to.

The guy would already have about 25% of the company with his 2018 compensation package and if he didn’t sell stocks to buy Twitter. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Speaking of the 2018 compensation package, the reason it was rescinded was because a judge found that Elon had too much undue influence on the board. The board is now proving the judge’s point, as they are not doing anything about the CEO making this threat. It’s ridiculous.

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Why 2024 is the ‘year of the drone’ after Iran’s attack on Israel

On May 20 a group of young people had gathered at an outdoor lounge as darkness fell in the southern Israeli city of Eilat.

As they enjoyed their evening, an explosion lit up the sky over the Red Sea.

Footage showed a bright orange burst far in the distance.

It was one of two drones that had flown more than 500 miles from Iraq.

The drone attack on Eilat from Iranian-backed militias was only one shot in an Iranian drone war on Israel that has been increasing since Hamas launched its attack on the nation’s south last Oct. 7.

On April 13 that war reached previously unimaginable levels when the Islamic Republic launched a massive attack on Israel with more than 300 drones and missiles.

The attack began with a wave of 170 kamikaze  drones — also known as the Shahed 136 and Shahed 131 in Iran.

The drones aren’t that large, 11 feet long, with an eight-foot wingspan. They weigh around 400 lbs and have a speed of 115 mph. This makes it about the size and dimensions of a large stingray, which the drone actually resembles in its delta-wing design and grey color.

The massive Iranian drone attack was the largest assault using kamikaze drones in history. It was akin to sending 170 small aircraft flying into battle.

Unluckily for Iran, the Israelis were ready.

Along with the US, UK and neighboring Arab nations, Israel had prepared for this moment.

Advanced F-35I warplanes  were scrambled from southern Israel.

They hunted down most of the drones before they reached the nation’s airspace.

The drones didn’t stand much of a chance because they are relatively slow, and with the aid of radar and early warning, they can be detected and intercepted.

The battle that night in the skies over the Middle East was a watershed moment in the new era of drone warfare — helping to make 2024 quite possibly the year of the drone. 

Drones have been used by countries for decades, but now drones are taking over the battlefield.

Iran’s drone attack is just one curtain-raiser — lifted the veil on how drones can serve as a kind of instant air force for countries, like Iran, with weak air defenses.

This type of ad-hoc air force “is one of the most frequent threats we face from Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iran, Iraq, and also from Gaza” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) Yossi Kuperwasser, a senior project manager at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA) and a senior research fellow at Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy.

Kuperwasser served as director-general of the Strategic Affairs Ministry and as head of the IDF Military Intelligence’s Research Division, and he is familiar with the emerging threats Israel faces.

He said the Israeli air force has developed numerous methods to deal with these threats, but newer generations of drones pose newer generations of challenges.

Air defenses like the Iron Dome claim high rate of success intercepting rockets, but today’s drone are managing to evade the Iron Dome, striking IDF soldiers, bases and other sites. 

“We should improve those methods. We did extremely well with the threat coming from Iran, we had a high interception rate. [However], especially with Hezbollah . . . we have to do better,” he said.

Better, because Hezbollah has been attacking Israel with kamikaze drones. “They [Hezbollah] have their eyes on suicide drones but also on drones that can . . . attack [by firing missiles] from the drone, which is something they have been recently boasting about,” he said last month.

Kuperwasser added that Iran and groups like Hezbollah have historically had a steep learning curve when it comes to drones — but have now revved up production with its partners in order to continually launch into Israel.

That partner, Iran, exports drones not only to proxy terror groups such as Hezbollah, but also to the Houthis in Yemen — where they been used to attack Red Sea shipping vessels — and to Russia where they are used in Ukraine.

The past decade has seen drones reach new levels of sophistication and ubiquity as they’re increasingly deployed by militaries and militias around the world.

Back in the 1980s and 1990s only a handful of countries, such as Israel and the United States, had access to drone technology.

At its most basic a drone is a pilotless, remote-control aircraft.

They are ideal for use in areas where risking a pilot’s life makes little sense.

When they were first invented in Israel in the early 1980s, drones looked like a large model airplane.

However, by the 1990s the iconic Predator drone was being flown by the US, with its sleek shape, slightly bulbous head and thin wings.

The Predator was huge — 66 feet long with a wingspan of 36 feet, similar to jet fighter aircraft.

For years drones, like the Predator, were seen as useful primarily for “dull, dirty and dangerous” missions.

This meant for surveillance missions where they might fly for 24 hours at a time, the dull part.

The “dirty” refers to missions such as strikes against terrorists in places far from home; and “dangerous” means missions in enemy airspace where drones might get shot down, saving pilots’ lives.

This perception began to change in the 2000s.

An article in the  Air, Space and Power Journal in 2013 noted  that US Predator and Reaper drones had now surpassed the flight hours of F-15s and predicted that drone pilots, operating remotely, would outnumber F-16 pilots in the US Air Force.

By 2019 the Bard College Center for the Study of the Drone  concluded  that more than 95 nations were using military drones.

“A lot of countries, not just technologically advanced countries . . . have gone out to create drone programs,” Dan Gettinger, co-director of the center, said at the time.

Drones were now being used by poorer countries and those without access to the latest satellite communications or electro-optics.

As access to this technology increased it meant that countries like Iran, under sanctions, could develop drones.

It also meant terrorist groups could acquire them as well. 

And so a drones arms race began, with the military drone market expected to be valued at nearly $28 billion by 2032.

This shift is similar to the race between countries in the early 20th century to build new types of battleships, or the race prior to the Second World War to deploy new types of tanks.

Each country has pursued its own concept of drone warfare.

China, for instance, has invested in a large number of relatively cheap drones and now dominates the commercial drone market through dronemaker DJI.

These small quadcopters are often found in everyday backyards, but have also been embraced by militaries who now view drones as a necessary battle-field evil.

Neighboring India is also pursuing an ambitious — yet still nascent — drone program.

Pakistan, Turkey and Taiwan have also joined the production push toward “drone independence.”

The Ukraine war has served as a pivotal proving ground for drone use in battle.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 it had the advantage in the air.

But Ukraine has managed to turn the tide by investing in small and medium-sized drones.

Upwards of 200 local companies have been tasked with building drones for the frontline.

Ukraine contracted  for 300,000 drones in 2023, according to a recent report in Reuters. 

Drones are now so common at the front — up to 100,000 are being launched monthly — that they are second only to the rifle in terms of sheer battlefield numbers.

Also common are newly developed portable anti-drone defense systems that Ukrainian soldiers can wear like backpacks.

The Russian invader has also resorted to drones to terrorize Ukraine.

It has imported thousands of Shahed drones, the same type Iran used in the April attack on Israel.

“Iranian drones are extremely cheap and quite effective. They can inflict significant damage, especially to old buildings and civilian infrastructure,” said Ksenia Svetlova, an executive director of ROPES and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. “Ukraine has improved ways to deal with this threat, but then also the drones were modified and are now armed with [newer] Qaem-5 guided bombs,” she noted.

The “Iranian-Russian drone project poses dangers to Europe and the Middle East: Russia is working hard on increasing its mass production while Iran is focusing on technological improvements.”

For Iran and Russia, the Shahed drone provides a number of benefits. Unlike American or Israeli drones — expensive and intended for complex missions — the Shahed 136 is cheap and expendable.

For a relatively small investment, Iranian-backed groups can threaten the world’s best militaries, such as Israel and the US.

Interestingly, it’s the US — which helped pioneer drone development — that is now playing catch up.

According to an article in the Telegraph last month, the US has a serious drone problem — and “could not survive for long in a Ukraine-level drone war.”

Today, drones have become true battlefield equalizers, major powers, poorer nations and terrorist groups alike. Some are armed with missiles and can hover targets for more than 24 hours.

Others are used for short-term missions, such as helping artillery spot enemies and monitor the battlefield, like by Israel in Gaza.

Increasingly though, drones are now deployed like Iran’s kamikazes — akin to cruise missiles — or are called “loitering munitions,” because they “loiter” over a target and then fly into it.

As the world enters a new era of drone warfare the types and uses of drones will only continue to evolve.

This year may be remembered as the year of the drone, a break with the evolution of the past and a shift into a new airborne era.

Seth Frantzman is an Adjunct Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and author of   Drone Wars: Pioneers, Killing machines, Artificial Intelligence and the Battle for the Future  (2021)

Amazon gets FAA approval to expand US drone deliveries

Amazon has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly its delivery drones longer distances, the company announced on Thursday. Amazon says it can now expand its Prime Air service, which uses delivery drones to fly individual packages, to more customers. 

The FAA requires that operators maintain a line of sight to their drones until it approves technology that can safely monitor and control them without visuals. Amazon says it spent years developing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) technology for its drones to ensure they can detect and avoid obstacles in the air.

The company showcased the technology for FAA inspectors to demonstrate that its drones can safely navigate away from planes, helicopters and hot air balloons.

The announcement comes after Alphabet’s Wing received an FAA exemption last December to fly its drones beyond the visual line of sight.

In a press release , Amazon said the approval allows it to, “serve more customers via drone and effectively expand and scale [its] drone delivery operations.” Amazon is going to start by expanding its drone delivery operations in College Station, Texas to reach customers in more densely populated areas. The company also plans to integrate drone deliveries into its same-day delivery network later this year.

Amazon says it needed the FAA approval to achieve its goal of using drones to deliver 500 million packages per year by the end of this decade. 

The announcement comes a month after Amazon confirmed that it was ending Prime Air drone deliveries in Lockeford, California . The town was the company’s second U.S. drone delivery site, after College Station. Amazon didn’t offer details about why it was ceasing drone delivery operations in the area, but did announce that it was going to begin drone deliveries in Tolleson, Arizona later this year.

Amazon isn’t the only tech company to operate drone deliveries, as Walmart introduced Wing drone deliveries to limited Superstores last year. Other companies working with Wing for drone deliveries include Walgreens and DoorDash .

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May Red Sea recap: Navy maintains fight against Houthi attacks

The Navy kept up its operations to counter Iran-backed Houthi militants in the Middle East in May, largely engaging with missiles and aerial weapons as a spate of American drones reportedly went down in the region.

Go here for Navy Times’ up-to-date tracker of incidents between the Navy and the Houthis.

As the month came to an end, U.S. officials told The Associated Press that American and British forces struck 13 Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday in response to a recent surge in attacks by the militia against ships in the Red Sea and the neighboring Gulf of Aden.

All the Houthi-US Navy incidents in the Middle East (that we know of)

A non-exhaustive, running list of houthi attacks in the middle east and the u.s. strikes back at them..

According to the officials, American and British fighter jets and U.S. ships hit a wide range of underground facilities , missile launchers, command and control sites, a Houthi vessel and other facilities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide early details of an ongoing military operation.

Also struck by the U.S. were eight air drones in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and over the Red Sea that were determined to be presenting a threat to American and coalition forces.

While the Navy reportedly engaged with fewer assets launched by the Yemen-based group in May than in some earlier months of the conflict , the sea service continues to be occupied by nearly daily interactions with the rebel organization, which kicked off its campaign of assaults in the fall after the war between Israel and Hamas began.

As of publishing time, U.S. and coalition forces destroyed, or tracked the firing, or the intent to launch, of at least 15 Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, 38 air drones, a land attack cruise missile and two missile launchers in May that the Houthis launched or were prepared to use, according to a tally of incidents announced by U.S. Central Command, as well as reporting by Military Times and The Associated Press.

That all comes as at least three U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones were purportedly downed in May alone, according to The Associated Press . While not immediately clear what brought down the drones, the outlet reported that U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the region, acknowledged seeing “reports” of the most recent incident.

Meanwhile, the Navy destroyer Carney returned home after a lengthy deployment to the Middle Eastern waters, where the warship fended off, or participated in, at least a dozen incidents with the Houthis.

Jean-Loup Samaan, a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council, wrote recently that a key challenge for the White House in responding to the continued Houthi threat against international shipping in the Red Sea has been rallying its allies and partners. That in part reflects concerns from Europeans over strategic objectives with the U.S. operation, he said, as well frustration from Gulf countries over the conflict in Yemen, which predated the current circumstances in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

“The U.S. supports peace in Yemen, but a peace agreement can only proceed after the Houthis stop their reckless attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a briefing in May.

“All of our partners are united around the need for Houthi attacks to cease before an agreement can be signed,” he said.

Jonathan is a staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow warns US of 'fatal consequences'; 1,300 Russian casualties in 24 hours, Ukraine claims

Moscow has issued a warning to the US after Joe Biden approved the use of its weapons to strike inside Russia. Meanwhile, Ukraine claims the Russian military has had 1,270 casualties in the past day, one of the highest daily figures since the war began.

Monday 3 June 2024 16:45, UK

• The big picture: Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Russia bars British 'establishment figures' in latest sanctions
• Moscow warns US against 'mistakes that may have fatal consequences'
• Enemy 'suffers 1,270 casualties in 24 hours', Ukraine claims
• China hits back at Zelenskyy over summit disruption allegations
• Energy restrictions imposed across Ukraine after wave of Russian attacks
• Deborah Haynes: UK defence chief doubts Russia wants war with NATO
• Live reporting by Guy Birchall

Poland has arrested 18 people accused of pursuing hostile activities or sabotage on behalf of Russia and Belarus.

One of the schemes allegedly included plans to assassinate Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the interior minister said.

Ten of those arrested since December were directly involved in planning various forms of sabotage across Poland, Tomasz Siemoniak told a news conference.

Authorities in Poland have linked some recent arsons or attempted arsons to Russian-sponsored agents.

Mr Siemoniak said that acts of sabotage were apparently part of a wider plan that also includes cyberattacks, pushing migrants in Belarus to cross into Poland and threatening the security of the country.

"We have no doubt that on the bidding of a foreign country, Russia, there are some people active who are ready to threaten the life, health and property of the Polish citizens," Mr Siemoniak said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will participate in the G7 summit in Italy late this month, either online or in person, his spokesman said.

The summit, set to take place in southern Italy from 13 to 15 June, will have as a key agenda item ways to use profits from frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, I cannot confirm or deny that the President will physically participate in the G7 summit, but in any case, whether online or physically, there is no doubt that he will be there,” the president’s spokesman, Sergey Nikiforov told Ukrainian television.

A Russian has been killed by Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod, according to the local governor.

Vyacheslav Gladkov wrote on his Telegram channel: "A munition detonated in the Korocha district, as a result of which one person was killed and three were injured.

"Nine people received various injuries in two shelling attacks; five of them were hospitalised. One of the injured persons, a woman wounded in the village of Voznesenovka, is in grave condition. She is currently in intensive care, on artificial lung ventilation."

One person was also injured in the Graivoron district, the governor said.  

Russia added several British "establishment figures", journalists and experts to the list of people barred from entering the country.

Moscow's foreign ministry says the decision was made due to their "hostile" actions. 

In a statement, the ministry also urged Britain to drop its support for Ukraine which it claimed was causing more civilian casualties. 

The names of those sanctioned have not been published.

 It will be unsafe to restart the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine as long as war rages around it, the UN nuclear watchdog chief has said.

Rafael Grossi held a meeting with Russia on the issue last week after officials including Vladimir Putin told him Moscow wanted to restart Europe's biggest nuclear power plant.

The six reactors are shut down on safety grounds at the recommendation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

"The idea, of course, they have is to restart at some point," Mr Grossi told a news conference on the first day of a quarterly meeting of the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors. 

"They are not planning to decommission this nuclear power plant. So this is what prompts the need to have a discussion about that."

Russia said after last week's meeting that it was not currently planning to reactivate the plant. 

Mr Grossi said some important steps needed to be taken before it can restart safely. 

"In terms of what needs to happen... there shouldn't be any bombing or any activity of this type," he said. 

"Then there should be a more stable assurance of external power supply. 

"This requires repairs, important repairs of existing lines, which at the moment, and because of the military activity, are very difficult to envisage."

At least 12 people, including a pregnant woman and eight children, were injured in the attack on Balakliaa over the weekend, according to Kharkiv police.

The head of the Balakliaa military administration, Vitaliy Karabanov, said: "Preliminary reports suggest that an Iskander missile hit the area. 

"Experts say it exploded a few meters from the house, causing damage and igniting a fire due to the wooden structures. 

"A family of six lived there: father, mother, and four children.

"Another family with four children was visiting, so a total of eight children and four adults were injured. 

"They were all in the house at the time of the explosion."

A Russian strike on a village in Kherson has injured a man in his 70s, according to the regional military administration.

He was left with concussion and injuries to his back and head, and was treated at the scene.

The village, Tomyna Balka, is a few miles north of the Dnipro River delta across the Russian-occupied territories of Kherson and around 12 miles west of the regional capital of the same name.

Ukraine retook Kherson and other settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River during a counteroffensive in the autumn of 2022.

Allowing Ukraine to use Western air defence systems against targets in Russia is crucial if Kyiv is going to repel Russian glide bomb and missile strikes against Kharkiv, a leading thinktank has said.  

After Joe Biden's partial lifting of restrictions on how Ukraine can use military supplies sent by the US, Kyiv can now use American weapons to strike inside Russia.

Eleven other Western countries have also recently partially or completely lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western-provided weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.

"These policy changes will allow Ukrainian forces to use Western-provided systems to strike Russian firing and staging areas in Russia's border areas and airspace," according to the Institute for the Study of War, which is based in the US.

"Ukrainian officials reported that Ukrainian forces downed a number of Russian military aircraft in February 2024, many of which were conducting glide bomb strikes in the Avdiivka direction.

"Ukrainian forces' ability to down Russian military aircraft in a frontline area indicates that Ukrainian forces will likely be able to replicate the same effects with both Ukrainian and Western-provided systems to protect northern Kharkiv Oblast and Kharkiv City from Russian glide bomb strikes launched from Russian airspace."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously said that Russian forces would not be able to seize Kharkiv City if Ukrainian forces received two Patriot air defence systems to deploy to the region.

According to the ISW, deployment of these defence systems would have limited effectiveness, were they not able to strike targets in Russian airspace. 

Around 1.5 million men have registered for conscription in Ukraine, the defence ministry has said.

After the new law on mobilisation came into force on 18 May, military-aged men were given 60 days to update their personal data so that the state could locate them.

According to a video posted on the ministry's YouTube channel, the majority of the updates were done on the new Reserve+ online app.

In addition to using the app, Ukrainians can update their data in person at public service centres or enlistment offices.

The ministry added that 14,000 men living abroad across 124 countries had updated their credentials. 

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Britain's defence chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin spoke about the comparisons made between the Second World War and the conflict in Ukraine.

He told Sky News he is confident we are not heading towards another world war and has every faith Ukraine would prevail in its fight.

Admiral Radakin added that by the end of June, 500,000 Russians would have died or been injured in the conflict.

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Sweden to donate $1.23 billion in military aid to Ukraine

Sweden will give $1.23 billion in military aid to Ukraine, in its largest donation so far

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The Swedish government said Wednesday that it will donate 13 billion kronor ($1.23 billion) in military aid to Ukraine, in the largest package of assistance Sweden has so far donated.

“It consists of equipment that is at the top of Ukraine’s priority list,” Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said. It includes air defense, artillery ammunition and armored vehicles.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonsson reiterated that the country has ruled out for now sending any Swedish-built JAS 39 Gripen jets to Ukraine, saying the focus on the Ukrainian side is on implementing a F-16 fighter jet program.

Several countries have said they want to donate F-16s. On Tuesday, Belgium pledged 30 F-16 jets to Ukraine.

Jonsson said Sweden “is still working on possibly being able to contribute with the Gripen system later.”

The donation also includes two Swedish-made SAAB ASCC airborne early warning and control airplanes, which Jonsson said would have the “greatest effect on the Ukrainian air defense” because it would complement and reinforce the promised donations of American F-16 fighter jets.

“You can identify incoming cruise missiles, you can identify drones and identify targets both on land and at sea,” he said.

“The overall assessment is that a donation of the ASCC 890 radar reconnaissance and command aircraft would be the most impactful for the Ukrainian Air Force right now,” Jonsson added.

The donation of the two airborne early warning and control airplanes means “a temporary decline in the Swedish defense capability,” Jonsson said.

“These are the two aircraft that we have in Sweden. We therefore also take a deliberate and calculated risk,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said. “I think it is an incredibly strong contribution.”

The donation also includes a missile system that can be used both on aircraft and in ground-based air defense systems, he said. It will be donated to Ukraine through cooperation with the United States, Jonsson said.

The support package is the 16th from Sweden since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.