KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine is intensifying its reliance on advanced military technologies, including uncrewed ground vehicles and AI-powered targeting drones, as it adapts to the grueling realities of trench warfare nearly three years into Russia’s invasion.
Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the country will need tens of thousands of robotic ground vehicles next year to transport ammunition and supplies to the front lines, as well as to evacuate wounded soldiers. These buggy-like vehicles, already in use along the front and in parts of Russia’s Kursk region, offer a safer alternative to human operators in areas heavily targeted by Russian artillery and drones.
“This technology spares our troops from operating in highly dangerous zones,” Mr. Fedorov said.
Evolving battlefield technologies
The use of advanced military technology has transformed Ukraine’s approach to the war, even as the conflict remains a bloody stalemate with few major territorial changes. Despite intensified Russian offensives, particularly in recent months, Ukraine has focused on leveraging innovation to counterbalance the attritional nature of the fight.
Ukraine’s production of long-range drones has surged dramatically since 2023. President Volodymyr Zelensky has set an ambitious goal of producing 30,000 deep-strike drones in 2024, underscoring the nation’s commitment to modernizing its arsenal.
Mr. Fedorov, who previously oversaw drone procurement before transitioning to focus on digital affairs, said decoy drones are also being deployed to misdirect Russian defenses. Ukraine sometimes launches more attack drones in a single night than Russia, he noted, though he emphasized that the conflict is not merely a “numbers game.”
Public-private innovation
Through a government-backed platform designed to foster private sector innovation, Ukraine has become a hub for the development of military technology. Mr. Fedorov has played a central role in these efforts, facilitating partnerships between state institutions and tech companies to accelerate production and deployment.
As the war enters its third year, Ukraine’s push for advanced technologies reflects its determination to sustain its defense and counter Russian gains. However, the scale of production and deployment required, especially for uncrewed ground vehicles and drones, will pose logistical and financial challenges.
Still, Mr. Fedorov remains optimistic, describing the rapid evolution of military technology as critical to Ukraine’s strategy. “Our focus is on innovation, not just replication,” he said, highlighting the country’s efforts to redefine modern warfare amid the ongoing struggle for its sovereignty.
