Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced a private-sector push for full-scale battlefield robotisation during the IT Arena 2026 conference in Lviv. Drones already account for more than 95 percent of all target engagements in Ukraine, according to Fedorov, who aims to expand this shift toward complete battlefield robotics through an ecosystem of private defense tech firms.
The new initiative involves investing in companies, launching dedicated tech projects, and testing working systems with the military at scale. Supported by an "Army of Robots" website and a promotional trailer, the private program seeks to attract investors and intimidate Russia while keeping humans out of direct combat. Although Ukraine already hosts over 700 drone manufacturers and serves as a testing ground for AI-powered warfare, the practical readiness of the humanoid robots featured in the promotional materials remains uncertain.
This private-sector robot army initiative highlights how the ongoing war in Ukraine accelerates the deployment of autonomous weapons despite ongoing global regulatory debates.