Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of the “most destructive arms race in human history,” highlighting the rapid evolution of weaponry, particularly drones, and the potential for autonomous AI systems. He asserted that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is not isolated, and that Putin intends to expand the war, citing concerns about Moldova and the spread of Russian operations. Zelenskyy called for international action to halt Russia now, as the cost of inaction will be far greater, and underscored the need for global rules on AI in weapons. He also announced Ukraine’s efforts to build a new security architecture, including arms exports.
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On Monday evening, September 22, unidentified drones were detected in both Denmark and Norway. Copenhagen Airport was closed due to the presence of 2-3 large drones, leading to flight diversions and a halt in operations. Simultaneously, in Oslo, drones were detected over a military area, resulting in the detention of two individuals from Singapore. These incidents follow previous instances of drones entering the airspace of NATO countries like Poland and Romania, raising concerns about potential security threats.
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Viacheslav Shutenko, commander of the 44th Brigade’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battalion, detailed the evolving tactics of the Russian military and the crucial role of drones in modern warfare. The unit utilized drones for reconnaissance and strike capabilities, proving critical in the defense of the Kupiansk direction. Shutenko emphasized the importance of not underestimating the enemy and highlighted the need for quickly scaling up technological innovations across the Ukrainian army, along with the need for personnel safety and truth in leadership. The commander also described instances of close-range operations and the heroism of drone operators in the face of danger.
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Ukrainian forces have successfully targeted and destroyed key Russian assets in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces thwarted Russia’s plans by destroying Russian strike drones and ammunition warehouses. Notably, Ukrainian units struck a drone distribution logistics point and a regimental ammunition depot, resulting in the destruction of numerous UAVs and various types of ammunition. These actions, confirmed by the General Staff, are part of ongoing efforts to impede Russian operations and logistics in the conflict zone.
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Ukrainian forces successfully targeted a significant Russian ammunition depot in Bohdanivka, Luhansk region, destroying a large cache of precision tank rounds and a substantial quantity of drones intended for use in Donetsk. The destroyed ammunition included ZUBK14 guided tank rounds, capable of extended-range strikes, alongside thousands of artillery and tank shells, mines, and grenades. The depot also housed over 19,000 drones and supporting equipment, highlighting Ukraine’s continued efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and degrade their offensive capabilities. This follows a previous successful strike by the SBU on ammunition depots in Bilokurakyne, further emphasizing the ongoing strategy to weaken Russian forces.
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Poland reported increased activity of Russian and Belarusian drones attempting to breach its airspace, days after shooting down Russian drones earlier this month. This follows an incident that led Poland to invoke Article 4 of the NATO charter, prompting security discussions. Polish officials stated the border with Belarus will remain closed until it is deemed safe, given the heightened tensions. Analysts suggest these incursions may be attempts to test NATO’s defenses and resolve, and further training is needed to deal with these provocations.
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Swarmer, a Ukrainian company specializing in AI-powered drone autonomy, has received US$15 million in funding from US investors, marking a significant investment in Ukrainian defense technology. This investment will allow Swarmer to equip every drone with swarm capabilities, significantly expanding its operational capacity on the battlefield. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the effectiveness of Swarmer’s technologies, noting that these swarm capabilities facilitate the deployment of numerous drones and robots, even with limited trained operators. The funding follows earlier reports of US company Auterion supplying Ukraine with AI strike kits, also designed to enable drone swarm functionality.
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John Q. Hosedrinker