Russia Copies Kyiv’s Drone Technology as Technological Race in Warfare Accelerates, Ukraine Army Chief Says
September 11, 2025 | By Tim Zadorozhnyy
In a growing contest of military innovation, Russia has begun adopting drone technologies developed by Ukraine, particularly those used for intercepting enemy drones, according to Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Speaking on September 11, Syrskyi described the conflict as a "direct technological race," emphasizing that victory will favor those armed forces that not only modernize their arsenal but also remain ahead in innovation.
“We are dealing with a direct technological race in which the advantage will go to those who not only modernize but also stay ahead,” Syrskyi stated on his official Facebook account. He stressed that Ukraine’s mission is to continuously improve existing unmanned systems while creating new tactics to optimize their use on the battlefield.
Ukraine’s Evolution in Drone Warfare
Since the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, Kyiv has heavily invested in drone warfare, evolving from retrofitting commercial drones into military use to producing specialized reconnaissance and attack drones at scale. Ukraine’s advanced drone operations played a pivotal role in August 2025, when Ukrainian drones reportedly struck more than 60,000 targets, inflicting the majority of Russian casualties and equipment losses, Syrskyi noted.
This significant increase in drone strikes reveals Ukraine’s advantage in aerial unmanned systems, which has compelled Russia to intensify its own offensive use of deep-strike drones. In response, Ukraine has been bolstering its electronic warfare capabilities, successfully jamming a growing number of Russian drones using advanced electronic countermeasures. “Analytics on drone usage allows us to quickly adjust tactics, increase efficiency, and stay ahead of [Russia],” Syrskyi added.
Russian Response and Escalation
Russia, for its part, has stepped up mass production of Shahed-type attack drones used frequently in near-daily assaults against Ukrainian urban centers. Earlier this year, in June 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to establish a dedicated military branch focused solely on unmanned systems, signaling Moscow’s intent to intensify its reliance on drone technology in combat.
Despite Russia’s efforts, Ukrainian officials assert that the quality and tactical innovation of their drone forces give Kyiv a significant edge.
Ukraine’s Manufacturing Ambitions and International Support
President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in June that Ukraine has the industrial capacity to produce up to 8 million drones annually, although financial constraints currently limit manufacturing volume. Kyiv has been actively encouraging foreign partners to support new projects that will expand its drone production capabilities and reinforce its technological lead.
Drone Conflict Spills into NATO Territory
The drone conflict has recently extended beyond Ukrainian borders. On September 10, 2025, 19 Russian drones were recorded breaching Polish airspace—the largest known attack against a NATO member since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This incident has intensified concerns among NATO allies about Russian tactics and has prompted increased vigilance along the alliance’s eastern frontier.
President Zelensky condemned the incursions, highlighting the calculated nature of the drone routes and dismissing them as accidents or rogue actions by lower-level commanders. The attacks have underscored the heightened risks and evolving complexity of drone warfare extending into broader European security.
About the Author:
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent based in Warsaw, focusing on international relations and European studies. He has extensive experience covering Eastern European affairs, having started his career in Odesa and worked with opposition media outlets before joining The Kyiv Independent.
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