These are not the “drones” you are looking for, or whatever the saying is. This story is a simple act of kindness by (probably) your childhood hero.

Mark Hamill, former actor for Luke Skywalker, has sent UNITED24 enough money in the past month to build 500 drones for the war effort in Ukraine. Drones are essential to war efforts due to their ability to get intel from far away with powerful cameras and their high flight potential. They’re also disposable, unlike a human scout.

Regardless, it’s pretty funny the original actor from a space adventure is now funding the use of revolutionary technology in an entirely real conflict. Even the Ukrainian government had to commend his kindness, saying, “The new ambassador introduction took place during an online call with the President of Ukraine,” a Ukrainian government site states, “Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Mark Hamill for supporting Ukrainian people since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.” 

So far, including Mark Hamill’s contributions, almost $210 million dollars have been donated to protect Ukraine from Russian invasion via the UNITED24 website. They even provided live updates on what it’s been used for along with how much impact your contribution made.

Regarding the necessity of drones, Mark Hamill said, “Very simply, Ukraine needs drones,” Hamill told Bloomberg. “They define war outcomes, they protect their land, their people, they monitor the border, they’re eyes in the sky.” While it’s no X-Wing, these drones and the contribution of Mark Hamill and many others will continue to keep Ukraine independent and safe.