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"This innovation represents our future threat," warns a defense consultant, who has just obtained a recently captured Russian unmanned aerial vehicle.

This proved to be no ordinary device as well, he discovered. Assisted by artificial intelligence, the unmanned aerial vehicle is able to find and attack targets on its own.

The consultant has examined numerous drones in his capacity as the nation's military advisor.

In contrast to previous versions, it didn't send or accept communications, so could not be jammed.

Both sides' militaries are testing AI in the conflict, and in some areas are now deploying it, to assist in finding targets, intelligence collection and de-mining.

And for the nation's military, AI has become indispensable.

"The military receives over 50,000 footage feeds [from the front line] every month which are analysed by AI," says Ukraine's deputy defence minister.

"It helps them rapidly handle this massive data, identify targets and mark them on a map."

AI-Driven Technology as a Strategic Asset

AI-empowered technology is regarded as a instrument that improves military strategy, optimize resources and in the end save lives.

But when it comes to unmanned weapons systems, it is also transforming the warzone.

Ukrainian troops already use AI-based software enabling drones lock on a objective and then fly autonomously for the final segment until the mission concludes.

Jamming cannot be done and shooting down such a small flying object is not easy.

Ultimately such technologies will likely evolve into fully autonomous armaments that can detect and destroy objectives on their own.

All a soldier will need to do is tap a icon on a mobile application, explains Yaroslav Azhnyuk, chief executive of Ukrainian tech company.

The drone will do everything else, according to him, locating the objective, dropping munitions, evaluating the impact and afterwards coming back to headquarters.

"It doesn't demand flight experience from the soldier," he continues.

Defensive Systems and Upcoming Developments

Interceptor drones with such automation might greatly enhance defensive systems against Russian long-range attack drones, like the notorious certain models.

"An AI-driven self-operating unit can be better than a human in numerous aspects," says the executive. "It is more perceptive. It can see the objective sooner than a human can. It is quicker."

The official indicates such a system does not exist yet, but he mentions Ukraine is close to completing its development. "They've partially integrated it in certain equipment," says the deputy defence minister.

It's possible there will be many thousands of such systems deployed by the end of 2026, predicts Azhnyuk.

Concerns and Dangers of Total Independence

But Local creators are cautious about fully making use of defence systems that depend solely on AI, with no human involvement. The danger is AI may fail to distinguish a friendly soldier from a Russian combatant, since both could be wearing the identical attire, notes an engineer, who asked to remain anonymous.

The firm produces remotely controlled automatic weapons, that employ artificial intelligence to automatically detect people and follow them. Due to concerns over friendly fire, he states they avoid including an auto-fire feature.

"We can enable it, but we need to get more experience and additional input from the ground forces to understand when it is safe to use this feature."

Moral Concerns and International Regulations

There are also concerns that AI-driven technologies will violate the laws of armed conflict. How can they avoid harming civilians, or tell apart personnel who want to surrender?

According to the official, the ultimate choice in such circumstances should rest with a human, even if AI would make it "easier to decide". Yet it's not certain that states or militant factions will follow international humanitarian norms.

Therefore counteracting these systems is increasingly important.

How can one stop a "swarm of drones" when electronic warfare or using aircraft, armored vehicles or rockets is rendered ineffective?

Ukraine's very effective "Spider Web" operation, when 100 drones attacked Russian air bases last June, is believed to be assisted by artificial intelligence.

Many in Ukraine worry that Moscow will copy that tactic, not only on the battlefront but beyond it as well.

Ukraine's leader cautioned the UN recently that AI was fueling "the most destructive weapons competition in human history."

He urged international regulations for the application of AI in weapons, and said the matter was "just as urgent as stopping the proliferation of atomic arms."