Author | Lightnews

Ragnar S

Ragnar S

@ragnars.bsky.social

3.7K followers 130 following 84 posts

Founder & Truck driver in 69th Sniffing Brigade. We have delivered 700+ NAFO trucks to 🇺🇦! Join us: https://www.help99.co/donate NAFO fella. Founder of Darkstar - Defense Tech. Angel investor. 🇪🇪❤️🇺🇦

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Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

13/ And finally - this event was a super strong example that Ukraine has very strong cards - tens of kickass teams/products that will help Ukraine win this war! But we - Europe - need to step up with 50x more financing - investing, financing orders -NOW!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

12/ The biggest value was indeed the 5,000+ visitors. With real and messy startup vibe. I can't remember any other event that would grow so fast - 3x in a year! It was so intensive that I did not even have time to visit even 1 talk or even look at the program at all - all about personal 1 on 1.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

11/ Most of the companies showed products that are still very rough - not finished - but already having REAL combat tests. Most Ukrainian founders don't know the EU market, are bad at marketing/sales, but they are fast builders. As it is not a polished carnival like almost every other Defence event.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

10/ My favourite product was definitely a 12-meter underwater drone from Toloka. With a range of up to 2,000 km & payload of up to 5 tons. And it was great to meet with Pink Flamingos indeed! And her family is much bigger than known. Wait for nice surprises.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

9/ I had nonstop meetings with Ukrainian military who are extremely eager to use any new tech - DTV is the only Defence event in the world, where you can talk with soldiers who came directly from the frontline. Some elite units like Khartia, Azov, K2, 3rd Brigade, Achilles. Rarog even had stand.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

8/ There was a very impressive lineup of bombers, but on the frontline Baba Yaga is still dominated by Vampires with 50% market share. And finally - the most needed thing is still CHEAP mid-strike: 60–200 km drones. BRING IT ON!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

7/ There is still no clear winner who could replace DJI 4 ISR. Yes there are some promising products, but nothing at scale on the frontline yet. The interceptor segment seems to have the biggest growth in 2025 - ca 50 companies are building something but 5–7 are ahead of others with real combat hits

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

6/ Defence Valley was heavily dominated by drones, drones, drones. Countless FPVs, 60+ UGVs and everything around the drone ecosystem - parts, software. But there are still big challenges in some areas.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

5/ European investors have understood that Defence Tech is hot. Especially European family offices, who were actively looking to make real deals. At least 20+ new VCs are cooking now.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

4/ A growing number of the sharpest European founders are entering defence tech. And they understand that they have to spend most of their time in Ukraine. Some of the most interesting meetings I had were with folks from Germany & Norway, for example.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

3/ Old EU Defence companies have still a huge challenge adapting to the speed of changes on the frontline. Their products are outdated & 10x more pricey - and not in high demand in Ukraine.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

2/ Number of battle-proven Ukrainian Defence startups is still growing. More importantly - they keep developing new features & products so fast that sometimes it's difficult to recognise a company 6 months later.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Sep 21

1/ Just back from 🇺🇦 - from the most intensive startup conference I ever visited - Defence Tech Valley. After 50+ nonstop meetings here is my short take: Defence Tech Ecosystem in Ukraine & EU + Lviv event.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Aug 29

First NAFO excavator joined @69thsb.bsky.social thanks to the amazing @realjakebroe.bsky.social community!
🫡🇺🇦

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Aug 29

Yesterday our Kyiv Lift99 Startup Hub was hit by a russian rockets.
We are closed now, but will be back very soon! Stronger & more furious than ever. So 🇺🇦 startup founders could grow, help each other - BUILD and WIN!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Jun 2

Over the last 3+ years, I’ve had the honor of meeting personally with 100+ 🇺🇦 military units. Here’s just a small part of it - Top 10 units that received the most NAFO trucks from us.
🇺🇦 soldiers are the best in world — battle-tested warriors who deeply understand what modern warfare really means.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · May 29

*LandCruiser

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · May 29

Huge thank you for 50 000+ NAFO fellas who have helped! As average - 1 pickup truck could help to save 30-40 soldiers. So those cars have saved at least 20 000+ lives! Every single one of those cars is delivering hope to 🇺🇦 soldiers, that they are not alone! Soon 🇺🇦 will win!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · May 29

658🐶🛻🇺🇦
🫡 @69thsb.bsky.social

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · May 9

🇪🇪 9th May message from the border city of Narva facing 🇷🇺 side!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · May 6

Be like a Swede!

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Apr 30

Great example of Future Army.
🇺🇦 has built motivating systems how to boost effective drone units!
www.politico.eu/article/ukra...

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Apr 23

Reality For Baltics states

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Apr 13

NAFO 🛻 enjoying 🇺🇦 Spring.

Ragnar S @ragnars.bsky.social · Mar 5

One day incredible events may unfold, unimaginable turnarounds. So many have occurred throughout history! America could explode due to terrorism, racism, who knows, and become a threat to peace.
That is why, while remaining allies of the Americans, we want to stop relying on them!
Charles de Gaulle