Ukrainian drones made up over 96% of UAVs military used in 2024, defense minister says
The domestic drone industry "reached unprecedented production volumes" in 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 28.
Defense tech
Ukrainian drones can hit targets 2,000 km away, military intelligence claims
"From what we can tell — it's no longer a secret — Ukrainian long-range unmanned aerial vehicles can hypothetically operate up to 2,000 kilometers," military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said.
Ukraine's new Ground Forces chief announces reforms focused on personnel, tech
The proposed changes include a revamped recruitment system with "zero tolerance for corruption," improved military training tailored to front-line needs, and integration of advanced technology into training and operational processes.
Ukraine builds drone parts at home as China weaponizes supply chain
Some 25 miles south of Ukraine's border with Russia, explosions rumble off in the distance more or less continuously. “We don’t even hear them anymore,” Zhenya chuckles from under first-person-view (FPV) goggles branded with the U.S. company “Fat Shark.” Zhenya and his co-developer for DragoDrones, or DCU, Maksym,
Ukraine approves Droid TW robotics system for combat operation
The system was approved after performing reliably in combat testing, the Defense Ministry said on Dec. 9.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Israel wants Ukraine’s help countering drones
The following is the Nov. 26, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Our most-read article last week was a story about how after Israel repeatedly ignored Ukraine’s warnings and
Ukraine’s drones have a reputation for low cost. Buntar Aerospace wants to make them boutique
The day Russia invaded Ukraine, Ivan Kaunov watched from his 23rd-floor Kyiv apartment in disbelief as rockets came down on his city. He was 30, married, and running a fintech startup that was seeing remarkable traction. The scion of a Kyivan family that had gotten wealthy on construction and IT,
Ukraine Business Roundup — Russia takes aim at the energy grid, again
The following is the Nov. 20, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. After weeks spent in anticipation of Russia’s next mass attack on Ukraine, Moscow launched its latest, and
Better late than never: Israeli companies finally reach out to Ukraine to help fight Iranian drones
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Israeli investigative outlet Shomrim. The Kyiv Independent is republishing it with permission. After Israeli officials earlier ignored Ukrainian warnings and offers to help counter the threat of Iranian drones, the tides appear to be turning as Israel faces increased drone
‘Battle-tested in Ukraine’ — How US drone makers turned Ukraine into a tagline to sell west
The biggest weapons makers in the world convened in Washington, D.C. for the 70th meeting of the Association of the United States Army in early October. It was the third year in a row where Ukraine remained at the center of the event's enormous buzz. Synchronized press releases ensued.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Aid to Ukraine in an uncertain future
The following is the Nov. 12, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. As Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House, the biggest question hanging over Ukraine is what his
Ukraine Business Roundup — 5G and ski resorts
The following is the Nov. 6, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Ukraine is launching a 5G pilot project in three cities over the course of the next two years
Ex-Google CEO urges US to buy drones instead of 'useless' tanks, cites Ukraine experience
Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia, Eric Schmidt said that Russia's war in Ukraine showed how a "$5,000 drone can destroy a $5 million tank."
Ukraine Business Roundup — Losing Pokrovsk
The following is the Oct. 22, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. As Russia makes its slow and steady advances in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Oblast, its troops are closing
Ukraine's new 'Sting' drone designed to hunt Shaheds, Telegraph reports
According to the drone's developers, the Wild Hornets group, "Sting" will be able to fly at altitudes approaching 10,000 feet, with a speed of over 100 miles per hour. It is the first drone specifically developed to target Russia's arsenal of Shaheds.
Ukraine improving interceptor drones to counter Russia, Syrskyi says
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi called Ukraine the leader in the development of interceptor drones.
US tech firm Anduril announces selling drones after successful tests in Ukraine
According to Anduril, their new drones will be capable of flying for 40 minutes and covering a range of 20 kilometers (12 miles).
Ukraine Business Roundup — The fight over higher taxes continues
The following is the Oct. 8, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Public reactions, particularly from the business community, to increasing taxes continue to mount as the bill makes its
‘We believe that in 5 years, Ukraine's defense sector will attract half a billion dollars:’ Q&A with foreign defense investors
Ukraine has become a hotbed of defense innovation, as Russia’s deadly invasion fuels a rapid development of new battlefield technologies. Kyiv now aims to become a global leader in the defense sector, but with its economy drained by the war, it needs foreign investment to accomplish its goal. Ukraine
AeroVironment plans to start producing Switchblade kamikaze drones in Ukraine
The U.S.-based AeroVironment signed an agreement with a Ukrainian company to localize its production of Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, marking the latest of several recent agreements between Ukrainian and foreign companies to produce weaponry in Ukraine.
Ukraine Business Roundup — Why Russia still makes billions transporting gas through Ukraine
The following is the Sept. 17, 2024 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Ukraine passes latest IMF review Ukraine passed its latest loan program staff review with the International Monetary Fund
Despite hype around Ukrainian weapons tech, foreign investors remain gun-shy
Ukraine’s low-budget tech wizardry has stunned Western audiences since the war’s outset. Soldiers operating out of front-line garages have modified donated artillery, rehabbed captured weapons, amped up off-the-shelf drones, and coded software to streamline it all. Given all the attention, a number of enterprising Ukrainians have turned their
New Palianytsia missile-drone costs less than $1 million, official says
It costs less than $1 million to produce each new Palianytsia, Fedorov told the Associated Press. The military aims to further decrease costs by collaborating with private companies.
Hong Kong shell companies facilitate Russian sanctions evasion, NYT reports
These companies are owned by oligarchs with ties to the Russian defense industry, and they have funneled millions of chips and sensors to sanctioned defense tech firms in Russia.
Opinion: Ukraine is racing to ramp up domestic defense production
Just a month after the U.S. Congress approved the much-awaited aid package for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv with a clear message: Washington supports the embattled country despite political bickering and the ongoing election campaign. Blinken also announced a special military-industrial complex development and
Defense Ministry: Nearly all of Ukraine's drones domestically produced
Nearly 100% of drones Ukraine’s Armed Forces use in Russia’s war are developed domestically, Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov said on June 1.
Defense Ministry: 9 Ukrainian robots have operated on battlefield since start of 2024
The robots perform a variety of battlefield functions, including combat with machine guns, demining, and evacuating wounded soldiers.
Media: Number of Russian drones on front lines has doubled in 3 months
The sources in the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces told the outlet that Ukrainian efforts to counter drones by electronic means were becoming less effective as Moscow's forces adapted to changes in technology.
Bloomberg: EU considering sanctions against foreign companies behind Russian defense tech
The EU is assessing imposing sanctions against over a dozen companies that continue to supply Russia with weapons technology, such as navigation systems for missiles, Bloomberg reported on April 23.
Zelensky: Draft age lowered because younger generation fit, tech-savvy
Ukraine's military needs younger men not only because they are physically fitter than older men but also because they can master technology used on the battlefield faster, President Volodymyr Zelensky told French YouTuber Hugo Travers in an interview published on April 21.
Zelensky holds meeting on drone production, electronic warfare
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a three-hour meeting on April 1 to discuss drone production and electronic warfare systems with senior members of the military and government.
Reuters: UK company developing EW-proof drones for Ukraine
The British company Evolve Dynamics is focusing on developing drones for the Ukrainian military that are able to withstand electronic warfare, Reuters reported on March 28.
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