Asger Risom
Observers say further testing will determine whether Kyiv can scale these systems or if technical and ethical restrictions will slow their advance.
Ukraine has revealed new battlefield footage hinting at a major shift in its drone operations. The images, published this week, offer a first look at kamikaze drones using advanced AI-driven visual systems during live combat.
According to an analysis by the German outlet Bild, the test suggests Ukraine is moving toward faster, semi-automated strikes while keeping human oversight in place.
Early battlefield clues
The video, supplied to Bild by the 1st Corps of the National Guard “Azov,” shows an operator screen where potential targets appear in green, higher-value ones in purple, and confirmed strike options in red. Once an operator approves a target, the drone completes the attack on its own.
Ukrainian personnel quoted by Bild said the onboard AI functions as “a real aid based on artificial intelligence,” though the system relies on advanced computer vision rather than independent decision-making.
The platform can track up to six vehicles at once, distinguishing between light and armored units in real time.
Human control retained
Despite the system’s sophistication, decisions to fire remain with the operator. Bild reports that the drones do not operate on simple GPS routes but continuously analyze the battlefield scene.
German analyst Sergei Sumlenni of the European Resilience Initiative Center told the publication that full autonomy is not yet feasible. He noted that “the front is too chaotic, the risk of fratricidal fire is high, and the algorithms are not yet adapted to Russian countermeasures.”
His assessment echoes concerns long raised by European security researchers about deploying independently lethal systems in active warzones.
New phase emerging
Even with current limits, Bild concludes that Ukraine’s prototypes exceed most Western equivalents in rapid target marking and automated guidance.
Experts cited by the outlet suggest the footage may signal the arrival of a new chapter in drone warfare, one likely to define the 2025–2026 period as militaries escalate the integration of AI into frontline tools.
Observers say further testing will determine whether Kyiv can scale these systems or if technical and ethical restrictions will slow their advance.
Sources: Bild
