Latest news with #MykhailoFedorov
NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
Birds Build Nests Using Fibre Optics Found In FPV Drones In Ukraine
In a scene straight out of a post-apocalyptic dystopian movie, a bird's nest constructed using fibre optic cable from the armed drones has been found in Ukraine. The picture of the nest has been circulating on social media, highlighting how much debris from fibre-guided FPVs was now littered across the Ukrainian and Russian landscape, since the war broke out three years ago. The 12th Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine discovered the novel-looking nest near the front line in Toretsk, Donetsk region. It is almost entirely made up of fibre optic, with birds using it as they would use grass, hair or fur. "Birds were the first after people to use the remains of fibre optic for their own needs. This is just one of dozens of manifestations of how nature survives in the flames of war," the brigade's message said, as per Ukrainian News. In recent months, FPV drones, controlled via fibre optic cable, have been used aggressively by both parties to gain an advantage over the territories. The use of fibre optics allows the operator of an FPV drone to perform tasks despite electronic warfare (EW) equipment. According to Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, 15 companies now make fibre drones in the country. The rapid progress has been made possible due to the help of former US Marine Troy Smothers, who took his fibre drone design to Ukraine to demonstrate the technology and develop the local industry. Ukrainian drones inflict damage Last week, Ukraine launched a major drone attack against Russian military airbases, located thousands of kilometres from the front line. Code-named 'Spider's web', Ukraine used 117 drones and a corresponding number of drone operators who managed to destroy Russian bombers and other important air assets. The airbases in the eastern Siberian city of Belaya, Olenya, in the Arctic near Finland, and Ivanovo and Dyagilevo - both east of Moscow, were the major targets of the attack. Images and videos of the incident circulating on social media showed the Ukrainian drone operators taking their time and eliminating the Russian aircraft using the drones.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Graph Shows Putin's Missile Response to Russia's 'Pearl Harbor'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia conducted its second-largest missile and drone attack on Ukraine since the start of its invasion in 2022, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) whose graph illustrate the response to Kyiv's drone barrage on Russian military airfields. The Washington, DC think tank's figures showed how Russia's drone assault overnight Thursday on Ukraine had only been surpassed on May 31. There had been anticipation over how Moscow would respond to Kyiv's Operation Spiderweb, which was dubbed by pro-Kremlin bloggers as "Russia's Pearl Harbor." The figures did not include Friday's overnight strikes on Kharkiv. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for innovation, education, science and technology, told Newsweek about plans to scale up an AI-controlled air defense turret to down Russian projectiles. Newsweek has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment. File photo: A firefighter stands by a fire and points to a hole following a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 5, 2025. File photo: A firefighter stands by a fire and points to a hole following a drone strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on June 5, It Matters Kyiv braced for a Russian response to Operation Spiderweb, and Russia responded by firing missiles and drones over all of Ukraine Thursday. The ISW figures could signal further Russian drone barrages, which, if they drag out peace negotiations, could see the U.S. impose a new set of tough sanctions. What To Know Ukraine's Air Force reported on Friday that, the previous night, Russian forces launched 452 projectiles, including 407 Shahed and mock drones, across the country; Kyiv said these injured at least 49 people and killed three. Russia also launched six Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as two Iskander-M cruise missiles and one Kh-31P anti-radar missile. While air defenses thwarted most missiles and drones, Russian strikes hit 19 locations across Ukraine, including high-rise buildings, and energy infrastructure in the cities of Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, Chernihiv, and Kremenchuk. The ISW graph showed nearly a fivefold increase in the size of Russia's drone and missile attack on Thursday compared with the previous day. It also highlighted how the only bigger barrage was on May 31 when 479 projectiles were launched. Ukraine is continuing to innovate and expand its air-defense umbrella to counter the growing threat posed by Russian missiles and drones. Ukraine's Sky Sentinel AI-Powered Air Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for innovation and military personnel, told Newsweek that Russian Shahed drones have significantly evolved; they are equipped with more-powerful engines and complex communication systems, flying at higher speeds and lower altitudes. This makes them harder to jam and intercept with older air-defense methods, which is why Ukraine is try to innovate to neutralize these upgraded threats. This graph from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows the spike in missiles and drones Russia launched after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on Russian airfields. This graph from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) shows the spike in missiles and drones Russia launched after Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on Russian airfields. Institute for the Study of War Fedorov said Ukrainian engineers have developed an AI-controlled air defense turret called Sky Sentinel; this can down Shahed-136 drones, smaller UAVs, and even cruise missiles. Once synced with radar and deployed, the AI locks onto targets, calculates their speed and trajectory, and fires. Its precision and automation features means it needs only half as many units to defend cities as compared with the number of mobile groups currently involved, Fedorov added. UNITED24, a Ukrainian government-run platform that funded the prototypes of the Magura naval drones that dealt a blow to Russia's Black Sea Fleet, is launching a $1.5 million fundraiser to produce the first 10 turrets. These can protect large areas at lower cost freeing up high-precision missiles for more critical targets. What People Are Saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X: "Over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles—including ballistic missiles—were used in today's attack." He added: "Russia must be held accountable for this." U.S. President Donald Trump said that Operation Spiderweb gave Putin "a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them." Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, told Newsweek: "Russian Shahed drones have significantly evolved. They're now equipped with more powerful engines and complex communication systems, flying at higher speeds and lower altitudes. "That's why we're constantly looking for innovative solutions that can effectively neutralize these upgraded threats before they reach cities or critical infrastructure." What Happens Next Thursday's strikes by Russia were followed up with a bombardment of Kharkiv. However, pro-Russian military bloggers say that, so far, Moscow's response was not proportional to the damage caused by Operation Spiderweb, which they compared with Japan's Pearl Harbor attacks of 1941. However, Russia's next move in continuing drone strikes could be tempered by bipartisan U.S. legislation that seeks to impose tough sanctions if Moscow drags out peace negotiations.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
Operation Spider Web: How Ukraine reportedly used AI drone sorties worth 10 iPhone 16 Pro to target Russian bomber aircrafts
Ukraine has successfully deployed AI-powered drones in a large-scale operation, codenamed "Spider's Web," targeting Russian military aircraft. The mission, overseen by President Zelensky, reportedly damaged or destroyed over 40 Russian bombers across multiple airbases. Ukraine has deployed artificial intelligence-powered autonomous drones to attack Russian military aircraft across multiple airbases, marking a significant escalation in the use of AI technology in warfare. The operation, codenamed "Spider's Web," reportedly damaged over 40 Russian bomber aircraft , including strategic Tu-95 and Tu-22 M3 long-range bombers. The coordinated strikes targeted Russian airfields spanning thousands of kilometers, from facilities near Moscow to bases in eastern Siberia and the Far East. SBU sources who spoke to the BBC said the 18-month operation involved concealing explosive drones inside wooden mobile cabins mounted on trucks, which were positioned near Russian airfields before launching remotely. Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed the first combat use of the country's AI-powered "mother drone" system, developed by Ukraine's defense tech cluster Brave1. The system can deliver two AI-guided first-person view strike drones up to 300 kilometers behind enemy lines. AI drones operate without human control The AI-powered drones utilized advanced autonomous systems that function independently once deployed. Reports indicate the technology includes "mother ship" drones capable of delivering smaller first-person view (FPV) strike drones up to 300 kilometers behind enemy lines. These systems employ visual-inertial navigation with cameras and LiDAR technology, allowing them to identify and engage targets without GPS dependency or human intervention. The SmartPilot system enables the drones to process real-time video data through AI algorithms, autonomously locating high-value targets including aircraft, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure. Each operation reportedly costs approximately $10,000, about the cost of 10 iPhone 16 Pros, significantly less expensive than conventional missile strikes, which can cost 300 to 500 times more, according to reports. Strategic impact extends beyond immediate damage The operation targeted strategic missile-carrying bombers including Tu-95, Tu-22, and Tu-160 aircraft, which are no longer in production and difficult to replace. Military analysts suggest the strike affected approximately 34% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet at key airbases, representing billions of dollars in potential damage. Ukraine's defense tech cluster Brave1 developed the drone systems as part of the country's broader strategy to offset disadvantages in manpower and firepower through technological innovation.
Forbes
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Saturday, May 31. Russia's War On Ukraine: News And Information From Ukraine
SLOVIANSK, UKRAINE - MAY 31: A view of the damaged following the Russian aerial attacks with KAB 250 ... More in a residential area of Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on May 31, 2025. (Photo by Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images) Dispatches from Ukraine. Day 1,193. Russia's Attacks on Ukraine and War Developments Aiming to create a "buffer zone," Russian forces have seized villages near Sumy, Ukraine's northern regional capital. As 50,000 Russian troops accumulate on Ukraine's border, the Sumy region prepares for a renewed large-scale offensive. More than 200 settlements are under evacuation orders after Russia advanced deeper into Ukrainian territory. The Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState reports that 57 square miles have been captured and another 45 are under attack in border areas. On May 29, Russia launched a series of deadly attacks across Ukraine, killing at least seven civilians. A glide bomb strike in the southern Zaporizhia region killed two, a ballistic missile strike on a farm in the southern Mykolaiv province killed one worker and explosives dropped by drone in the southern Kherson province killed two local residents. The day before, Russian troops killed two residents in the northern Sumy region. Ukraine has deployed its first AI-powered drone, capable of delivering and coordinating two strike drones at distances up to 185 miles while slashing mission costs to just $10,000. Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the system's debut on May 29, highlighting its autonomous target selection and capacity for reuse. Ukraine's latest innovation emerges amid the exponential growth of its defense sector, with 800 domestic enterprises producing $9 billion worth of weapons in 2024 and plans underway to procure 4.5 million drones in 2025 through a $2.7 billion state-funded initiative. Settlement of the War in Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin is demanding a written commitment halting NATO's eastward expansion and partial sanctions relief as key conditions for ending the war in Ukraine, according to sources familiar with internal negotiations. Despite battlefield advances, Putin has reportedly agreed in principle to begin drafting a peace framework following a two-hour call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has voiced frustration over Putin's refusal to engage with Kyiv directly and recent large-scale Russian attacks. Following Trump's call, Moscow proposed resuming direct peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2 to exchange ceasefire draft proposals, according to Russian officials. The previous round of bilateral talks on May 16 ended without agreement, but Kremlin negotiators now say they are prepared for 'substantive discussion' on a package deal and awaiting Kyiv's response. China Deepens Tech Support for Russia Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused China of cutting off drone sales to Ukraine and Western allies while continuing to supply Russia, including via production lines on Russian territory with Chinese oversight. Zelenskyy's claims, backed by European officials, highlight concerns over Beijing's export of dual-use technologies such as Mavic drones and motor components, which are widely used on the battlefield for surveillance and strikes. China denies providing lethal aid to Moscow. The U.S. and EU, however, have sanctioned several Chinese firms for supporting Russia's drone production efforts. Recent reporting by Forbes Ukraine substantiates Zelenskyy's allegations, revealing that Russia's Iranian-built Shahed drones (deployed in record numbers during a late May barrage) now rely more heavily on Chinese electronics. Analysis of drone wreckage from attacks in March, 2025, showed that 10 of 15 identified components originated from Chinese companies. This use of Chinese parts represents a clear shift from earlier models, which contained more U.S. and European components. Experts suggest that Russia is compensating for Western export controls by deepening technological reliance on Chinese suppliers, many of which help circumvent sanctions through dual-use goods and Western parts re-exported through third countries. Beijing's support extends beyond electronics. In 2024 alone, China exported $4.6 billion worth of critical goods to Russia, including CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines used for precise fabrication of complex parts and microelectronics used in weapons production. Given that up to 90% of the precision components in Russian high-tech weapons are now Chinese-made, some experts claim that China's role has evolved from cautious neutrality to crucial support of Russian aggression. Germany's New Military Aid Package Germany will provide Ukraine about $5.7 billion in military aid, including funding for Ukrainian production of long-range missiles and air defense systems, following an agreement signed by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov. Approved by the Bundestag, the package also includes support for Ukrainian repair centers and satellite communications. The new military aid package for Ukraine follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's pledge during a joint press conference with President Zelenskyy on May 28 to fund the development of Ukrainian long-range missiles. Earlier reporting by the German newspaper Bild revealed Berlin's plans to invest in Ukraine's own production of cruise missiles with ranges up to 1,500 miles. By Danylo Nosov, Alan Sacks
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's AI-powered ‘mother drone' sees first combat use, minister says
Ukraine has deployed a new artificial intelligence-powered "mother drone" for the first time, marking a major step in the country's expanding use of autonomous battlefield technology, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on May 29. The drone system, developed by Ukraine's defense tech cluster Brave1, can deliver two AI-guided FPV (first-person view) strike drones up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) behind enemy lines, according to Fedorov. Once released, the smaller drones can autonomously locate and hit high-value targets, including aircraft, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure — all without using GPS. "The system uses visual-inertial navigation with cameras and LiDAR to guide the drones, while AI independently identifies and selects targets," Fedorov said. 0:00 / 1× The system, called SmartPilot, allows the carrier drone to return and be reused for missions within a 100-kilometer range. Each operation costs around $10,000 — hundreds of times cheaper than a conventional missile strike, Fedorov said. The development comes as Ukraine continues to ramp up domestic drone production. On April 7, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country would scale up production of unmanned systems "to the maximum," including long-range, ground-based, and fiber-optic drones, which are resistant to electronic warfare. Ukraine has leaned heavily on technological innovation to offset its disadvantages in manpower and firepower since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. The use of drones, aerial, naval, and ground-based, has become a central feature of both sides' strategies in the war. Fedorov said Ukraine will continue investing in Ukrainian systems that "change the rules of the game in technological warfare." We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
