“This technology is our future threat,” warns Serhiy Beskrestnov as he examines a recently captured Russian drone. Unlike conventional weapons, it uses artificial intelligence to find and strike targets without human guidance.
Beskrestnov, a consultant for Ukraine’s defence forces, has analysed countless drones since the invasion began. This model stands out. It neither sends nor receives signals, making it impossible to jam or detect.
Both Russian and Ukrainian forces now deploy AI on the battlefield. They use it to track enemies, analyse intelligence, and clear mines faster than ever before.
AI becomes a game-changer on the frontlines
Artificial intelligence has become indispensable for Ukraine’s military. “Our forces receive over 50,000 video streams from the front every month,” says Deputy Defence Minister Yuriy Myronenko. “AI analyses the footage, identifies threats, and maps them for commanders.”
The technology allows faster decision-making, optimises resources, and reduces casualties. Its most dramatic impact appears in unmanned systems. Ukrainian troops now operate drones that lock onto targets and complete the final stage of attacks autonomously.
These drones cannot be jammed and are very difficult to shoot down. Experts predict they will evolve into fully autonomous weapons capable of finding and destroying targets independently.
Drones that operate without pilots
“All a soldier needs to do is press a button on a smartphone,” explains Yaroslav Azhnyuk, CEO of Ukrainian tech company The Fourth Law. “The drone finds its target, drops explosives, assesses the damage, and returns to base. Piloting skills are unnecessary.”
Azhnyuk believes these drones could significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air defences against Russian long-range drones like the Shaheds. “A computer-guided system can outperform humans,” he says. “It reacts faster, sees better, and moves more precisely.”
Myronenko admits fully autonomous systems are still in development but says Ukraine is close. “We have partly integrated it into some devices,” he adds. Azhnyuk predicts thousands of these drones could be operational by the end of 2026.
Innovation comes with serious risks
Full automation carries major dangers. “AI might not distinguish a Ukrainian soldier from a Russian one,” warns Vadym, a defence engineer who requested anonymity. “Their uniforms can look identical.”
Vadym’s company, DevDroid, produces remotely controlled machine guns that use AI to detect and track people. Automatic firing is disabled to prevent friendly fire. “We could enable it,” he says, “but we need more field experience and feedback before trusting it fully.”
Ethical and legal questions remain. Can AI obey the laws of war? Will it recognise civilians or surrendering soldiers? Myronenko stresses humans must make the final decision, even if AI assists. Yet he warns that not all militaries will act responsibly.
A global race for intelligent weapons
AI is driving a new arms race. Traditional defences—jamming, missiles, or tanks—struggle against swarms of intelligent drones.
Ukraine’s “Spider Web” operation last June, when 100 drones struck Russian air bases, reportedly relied on AI coordination. Many fear Moscow could replicate the tactic, both at the front and deep inside Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations that AI is fuelling “the most destructive arms race in human history.” He called for urgent global rules for AI weapons, warning that the threat is “as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear arms.”
