We went back to Ukraine and were stunned at how much its weapons have evolved in just one year
Business Insider journalists report on the rapid evolution of robotic and drone technology in Ukraine. The conflict has accelerated the development of AI-integrated drones for both logistics and combat, significantly changing battlefield dynamics.
Why it matters
The rapid iteration of drone technology in Ukraine serves as a real-world case study for how AI and robotics are fundamentally altering modern warfare and logistics.
Ukrainian soldiers are relying more on shotguns for last-resort drone defense. Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here . Ukraine's new generation of robotic weapons At Business Insider, we're a little obsessed with weapons and defense as part of our technology and innovation coverage. To get you the latest from the field, we sent two journalists, Robert Leslie and Jake Epstein , to Ukraine in May. Their coverage is here , and more is coming. Robert and Jake, what was the single biggest surprise from your trip? JE: For me, how much progress Ukraine has made with robotics and drones compared with my previous visit in March 2025. The tech is far more sophisticated and is increasingly reliant on AI.
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