Zaluzhnyi: My early warnings about technological change in war drew criticism

Former Ukraine commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi recounted his early warnings about the transformative impact of technology on warfare in his recent column, "The war that changed everything." Published by Ukrainska Pravda on September 15, Zaluzhnyi argued that the end of World War II not only influenced when and where the next conflict might arise, but also determined its primary form and methods.

He explained that historical mistakes and political pushback have shaped the initial question of whether past missteps would be repeated, while technological advancements ultimately dictated the second question, which relied on the development of science and technology to exploit such mistakes.

In the summer of 2023, as military operations within Ukraine intensified, Zaluzhnyi noted that progress had resumed after a prolonged period of stagnation. However, his initial thoughts on this subject in the autumn of 2023 drew criticism from within Ukraine and were met with incomprehension from representatives of the world's former leading armies. He added that in contemporary Ukraine, presenting oneself as a champion of technology has become politically and financially advantageous.

Zaluzhnyi highlighted that weapons expos, once a rarity, now resemble scenes from science fiction films, and museums dedicated to past wars display relics that once seemed inconceivable. Despite this evolution, he lamented that the progress was not harnessed by Ukraine's enemies, and the front line had brought to life "technological horrors" rather than the industrial ones of the past.

In his column, Zaluzhnyi emphasized that technological progress was not only gathering momentum but also awaiting the emergence of a new empire to control. However, he lamented that things did not unfold as he had hoped. He stressed that the front line had given rise to "technological horrors" rather than the industrial ones of the past.

Zaluzhnyi further explained that, in his view, Ukraine is no longer in a simple "drone war," but rather a conflict that encompasses both technological advancements and the constant evolution of strategies and doctrines under the pressure of progress. He argued that Ukraine is no longer engaged in a mere "drone war," but rather a more complex conflict involving evolving strategies and doctrines.

In February 2024, Zaluzhnyi expanded on this argument in a column for CNN, advocating for Ukraine to build "an entirely new state system of technological rearmament" to counter Russian technologies and gain a strategic advantage.