

#56 Kate Bondar: The Futuristic Military Tech That's Changing The War in Ukraine
Mar 24, 2025
Kateryna Bondar, a Ukrainian expert on military technology and former advisor to the Ministry of Defense, discusses the rapid evolution of warfare in Ukraine. She reveals how unmanned vehicles and AI-enabled drones are changing the battlefield dynamics. Grassroots innovations have led to advanced drone capabilities, with civilian engineers playing a crucial role. The conversation explores the ethical implications of replacing human soldiers with robots and the importance of digital security in countering misinformation during this technological transformation of war.
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Tech Evolution Before 2022 Invasion
- The Ukrainian military's tech evolution began before the 2022 invasion, rooted in pre-2014 conditions.
- Civilian volunteers and existing tech in agriculture kickstarted the use of drones for military purposes.
Civilian Software Powers Battlefield Awareness
- Ukraine developed multiple situational awareness software platforms integrating diverse data sources.
- Volunteer civilian groups played a critical role in creating actionable intelligence tools for the military.
AI Boosts Drone Effectiveness
- AI-enabled drones achieve 70-80% target engagement vs. 10-15% for manual drones.
- AI autonomy allows drones to navigate, control flight, and adapt despite electronic warfare challenges.