Ukraine developed and halted plans to target Moscow airports with swarms of AI drones

Ukrainian officials once debated launching thousands of autonomous drones to target Moscow airports, according to a recent report by The Atlantic. The plan, dubbed M&M, involved using relatively inexpensive drones equipped with AI guidance systems to disrupt international air traffic in and out of Moscow, potentially crippling Russia's economy.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, however, expressed significant concerns over the safety of the operation, fearing accidental strikes on passenger planes or civilian casualties near airports. The initiative, which was discussed with Zelenskyy during the winter, was ultimately put on hold due to these risks. The project, which had been in the works since mid-spring, was spearheaded by former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Fedorov assembled a team of Ukrainian computer programmers to develop the AI guidance system and secured funding from European allies to mass-produce the drones, according to the report. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the existence of the project, and the claims remain unverified by official sources.