Why drones can't replace Ukraine's reconnaissance soldiers
The Kyiv Independent's Nick Allard and Asami Terajima travel to Kharkiv Oblast to meet reconnaissance soldiers from Ukraine's 60th Mechanized Brigade, part of the 3rd Army Corps, and witness the training required to perform one of the army's most dangerous roles.
Ukrainian soldiers are requesting drones with greater autonomy, enabling one operator to oversee multiple drones instead of manually controlling each one. This shift allows pilots to focus on other critical tasks while AI handles more of the flying, navigation, and identification of targets. The demand for such technology stems from the rapidly expanding arsenal of drones and ground robots used by Ukraine against Russia's larger military.
Ukrainian defense technology companies are increasingly automating tasks while still maintaining human responsibility for force usage decisions. Frontline Robotics, a Ukrainian defense firm, developed software that allows drones to navigate, return to base, and identify targets independently, reducing the mental strain on soldiers and allowing them to accomplish more.
The newest version of their Linza drone offers enhanced autonomy, with GPS functionality even when disrupted by Russian electronic warfare. Ukraine's defense ministry aims for 100% of drones on the front line to have computer vision and AI capabilities. Many Ukrainian companies work directly with soldiers, gathering insights on the ground to inform their product development.
The goal is to reach a stage where autonomous drones can independently fight each other, with a single pilot controlling multiple drones through advanced autonomous systems.
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