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Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

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Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, the newly-appointed commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Force, speaks during the military branch's presentation in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 11, 2024. The military demonstrated various types of remotely-operated unmanned robotic systems that their members use. (Andrew Kravchenko/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Ukraine is now among the nations with laser weapon capabilities, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, announced on Dec. 16, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

Speaking at the “European Defense Industry: Prospects for Cooperation with the Ukrainian Defense Industry” conference, Sukharevskyi said Ukraine’s laser system, called Tryzub, can down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers.

“This laser is real and operational,” he emphasized, adding that efforts are underway to scale up its capabilities.

The Kyiv Independent couldn't immediately verify Sukharevskyi's claim.

Sukharevskyi also discussed the development of "mother drones," or “queen drones,” which carry two FPV (first-person view) light attack drones.

These drones, capable of flying over 70 kilometers into enemy territory, serve as repeaters and hit deep targets. He described this innovation as a “breakthrough” in Ukraine’s drone technology.

The Unmanned Systems Forces established less than six months ago, already include combat and research units operating across air, land, and sea.

Ukraine’s defense industry has gained momentum since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently announced the serial production of Palianytsia, a lightweight missile-drone hybrid, further advancing Ukraine’s military capabilities.

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Tim Zadorozhnyy

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Tim Zadorozhnyy is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent covering foreign policy, U.S.-Ukraine relations, and political developments across Europe and Russia. He studied International Relations and European Studies at Lazarski University and Coventry University. Tim began his journalism career in Odesa in 2022 as a reporter for a local television channel. He later spent a year and a half at the Belarusian independent media outlet NEXTA, first as a news anchor and later as a managing editor. He is fluent in English, Ukrainian, and Russian.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 11 that he is preparing changes to Ukraine’s “diplomatic efforts” to accelerate weapons deliveries from allies, as Ukraine's stockpile of Patriot air defense missiles has run dry.

 (Updated:  )

Russia launched 12 missiles overnight, including six Iskander-M and S-400 ballistic missiles, four Kh-59 and Kh-69 cruise missiles, and two Kh-31 anti-radiation missiles, alongside 121 attack and decoy drones, Ukraine's Air Force said.

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