As the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the country is leading the charge in drone technology innovation, with over 2 million UAVs produced in 2024.
Ukraine’s Drone Revolution: A War of Innovation
The war between Russia and Ukraine is now largely being fought with drones. Ukraine is at the cutting edge of wartime drone innovation, producing over 2 million UAVs in 2024.
Located in Eastern Europe, Ukraine shares borders with Russia to the east, Belarus to the north, Poland and Slovakia to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the south.
The country has a diverse geography, featuring mountains, forests, and coastal regions along the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine's terrain includes the Carpathian Mountains in the west, the Crimean Peninsula in the south, and the steppes of the eastern region.
From Factories to Basements: The Rise of Ukrainian Drone Makers
In a courtyard surrounded by apartment blocks in Kyiv, we walk down some stairs to a tiny basement flat. Inside, there’s a flurry of activity as tables full of drone parts and tools are scattered around. Three big dogs sit nearby, watching over the operation. These are the ‘drone dogs’, protecting from security threats.
Andrii Yukhno, who supervises this FPV attack drone-making operation, explains that he got into making drones because he felt compelled to do something when the war started. The team began with delivery operations in Kyiv, providing essential items like food and medicine. They have since expanded their production capabilities.
Motivation and Purpose
Thirty-year-old Christina Pashenko recently left her job helping companies appear higher in internet searches to join the drone-making operation. She is now soldering wires to a circuit board, feeling proud of herself for doing something useful. The videos of thanks from soldiers on the front lines using their drones are highly motivating.
A Technological Race
Russia is close behind Ukraine in terms of drone innovation but has significantly larger production capacity. According to Oleksandr Kamyshin, adviser to President Zelenskyy on strategic affairs, this is a technological race where one side tries to counter the other’s technology and then finds another solution.
Russia is a transcontinental country spanning much of northern Eurasia.
It covers approximately 17 million square kilometers, making it the largest country in the world by land area.
With a population of over 145 million people, Russia is also the ninth-most populous country globally.
The country shares borders with Norway and Finland to the northwest, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to the west, Belarus and Ukraine to the southwest, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the east.
A Realistic Approach
Thirty-seven-year-old Sasha Ptashnyk, who was a dancer before the full-scale invasion, says he is making drones to help end the war on the best terms possible. He acknowledges that Ukraine has exaggerated its capacity and is facing a large enemy. Ptashnyk emphasizes the need for sober thinking.
The Importance of Science
Part-time drone maker Oleh Halaidych, who has a doctorate in stem cells, believes making drones is one of the quickest ways to make an impact. As science can be slow, he thinks it’s essential to act now to protect oneself and others.
A Bigger Picture: The Consequences of Drone Innovation
The war between Russia and Ukraine is largely being fought with drones, and both sides are pushing the boundaries of innovation in this area. However, this technological race has significant implications for global security and the future of warfare.
Global security is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various aspects, including military defense, 'economic stability' , and cybersecurity.
The threat landscape has shifted in recent years, with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and biotechnology posing new risks.
According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure reached $1.98 trillion in 2020, with the top spenders being the United States, China, and India.
Cyberattacks have also become increasingly common, with over 4,000 data breaches reported worldwide in 2020.
