Ukrainian AI systems are changing the battlefield in ways that go beyond weapons and drones. These systems play a vital role in the fight against Russian disinformation campaigns. Ukrainian startups Osavul and Mantis Analytics have built sophisticated systems that detect and fight back against propaganda targeting their country17. Their systems use large language models and natural language processing technologies. They scan big sections of the internet to find narrative patterns. This helps Ukrainian authorities respond with facts before false information can spread17.
The conflict shows how artificial intelligence can be used in completely new ways. Neural networks now combine photos from the ground, drone footage, and satellite images. This gives faster intelligence analysis and creates advantages that humans alone could not achieve18. Ukrainian forces also use AI for electronic warfare, encryption, and scanning huge amounts of imagery. The technology spots objects that human analysts might miss19. Ukraine’s defensive information operations have changed our view of military AI use. Their success shows how smaller nations can use technology to stand up to larger adversaries in both physical and information warfare.
Ukraine Deploys AI to Track Russian Propaganda in Real-Time
Ukrainian military forces now use sophisticated neural networks to curb Russian disinformation live. This marks one of the most important steps forward in digital warfare capabilities. These AI systems work around the clock and scan massive amounts of digital content from media outlets and social networks. They identify and counteract propaganda before it spreads.
How neural networks scan open-source data
Ukraine defends against information warfare through machine learning algorithms that process huge amounts of open-source intelligence (OSINT). These systems use natural language processing (NLP) models to search the internet for narrative patterns. This dramatically speeds up detection compared to human analysis17. The technology spots message anomalies, synchronized bot network activities, artificial boosting of Telegram channels, and coordinated social media responses20.
The Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), under Andrii Kovalenko’s leadership, uses these AI tools to systematically break down Russian disinformation networks20. Ukrainian Deputy Minister Demokhin says these systems track Russian disinformation campaigns worldwide. He points out that the technology tackles the crucial factor in fighting information attacks – time21.
Two Ukraine-based startups, Osavul and Mantis Analytics, emerged during the early days of the full-scale invasion. They created large language models specifically to detect propaganda17. Osavul’s software spots coordinated inauthentic behavior and gives an explanation about who’s behind disinformation campaigns17. Ukrainian authorities can now share factual messages before Russian narratives take hold, which limits their reach.
Independent media and digital activists also utilize AI for OSINT investigations. This serves two purposes: they document potential war crimes and expose false Russian claims17. These AI-powered tools help journalists handle the overwhelming amount of data they need to analyze – a perfect job for artificial intelligence solutions17.
What types of propaganda are being detected
Ukrainian AI systems have spotted several sophisticated propaganda tactics from Russian operations. CCD officials worry about “AI-Poisoned Algorithms,” where Russian disinformation operations try to corrupt large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude20. They mass-produce fake news sites, pseudo-analytics, and misleading content optimized for search engines. This increases chances that AI models will unknowingly repeat Kremlin propaganda about a “Nazi Ukraine,” “American bioweapons,” or the “occupied Donbas”20.
The detection systems have uncovered multiple forms of Russian propaganda:
- Narrative manipulation: Russian disinformation often accuses Ukraine of fascism/Nazism, claiming the invasion aims for “denazification”22. This narrative uses major cultural and historical connections to strengthen anti-Ukraine biases that Russian state media has promoted since the 2014 Crimea annexation22.
- Computational propaganda: Russian operations blend traditional propaganda tactics with symbols, emotions, stereotypes, and existing frames to shape perceptions22. These efforts meet across social media platforms, autonomous bots, and big data to target individuals precisely22.
- Deliberate confusion: Russian propaganda stays inconsistent on purpose. It uses multiple contradictory explanations to overwhelm audiences with misleading information22. They want to destroy trust and weaken democratic institutions’ credibility by creating chaos and discord22.
Ukrainian AI has identified both open and hidden players in Russia’s propaganda machine. Open participants include state-funded media like RT and Sputnik, along with official political bodies like the Ministry of Defense22. Hidden actors work through less obvious channels, including low-credibility “pink slime media,” influencers, automated bot accounts, and human-operated trolls22.
Hamilton 2.0, a notable tracking tool, watches hundreds of Russian-linked Twitter accounts that try to shape information in the United States and Europe23. This dashboard provides live analysis of narratives from Russian government and state-backed media across Twitter, YouTube, broadcast television, and state-sponsored news websites23.
All the same, the fight against disinformation keeps changing. NewsGuard has exposed more than 300 false narratives about the Russia-Ukraine war. They found that Russian propaganda deliberately targets groups with specific identities, like those who distrust the West or government institutions24. We have a long way to go, but we can build on this progress in AI-powered defenses. Ukrainian officials admit they don’t deal very well with these new disinformation campaigns because of their sophisticated nature21.
Government and Private Sector Coordinate AI Efforts
Ukraine’s advanced AI capabilities stem from strong teamwork between the government and private sector. The Ukrainian government works with tech companies to create and deploy AI solutions that help curb Russian disinformation campaigns and boost national defense capabilities.
Role of Ministry of Digital Transformation
The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine leads the nation’s AI initiatives. Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and his team have created the WINWIN AI Center of Excellence—Ukraine’s first flagship AI initiative. They also developed a detailed policy paper that shows the country’s vision for AI development25.
The ministry wants to make Ukraine an innovation hub by 2030 through its WINWIN AI Center. They test and scale advanced technologies in defense, cybersecurity, healthcare, and public services25. This national platform shows how Ukraine plans to use AI for both wartime needs and rebuilding after the war.
The ministry has partnered with Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecommunications provider, to build the country’s first national large language model (LLM). This model uses only Ukrainian-language data26. VEON and Kyivstar will invest $1 billion to rebuild Ukraine’s digital infrastructure between 2023-202726. Creating its own language model helps Ukraine depend less on foreign technologies and keeps sensitive national data secure.
Strong public-private cooperation makes AI governance work better. The ministry supports startups, runs training programs with business and academic partners, and builds connections with global AI organizations25. This approach lets Ukraine use both government resources and private sector innovation to respond to the war.
How startups like Osavul and Mantis Analytics contribute
Ukrainian AI startups play a vital role in helping the government fight Russian disinformation. Osavul and Mantis Analytics—both started when the full-scale invasion began—have built sophisticated tools to detect and stop Russian propaganda.
Osavul created AI technology that helps the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) and the Ministry of Defense spot information warfare activities27. The startup analyzes hundreds of social media messages and posts much faster than human analysts can27. They work with the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) and provide free services to Ukrainian government agencies27.
Osavul received $3 million in seed funding to improve its AI-powered counter-disinformation solutions28. European investors 42CAP, u.ventures, and SMRK led this investment to help the company grow into the business sector. Private companies face increasing threats from disinformation campaigns28. Dmytro Bilash, the startup’s co-founder, believes AI will make disinformation campaigns cheaper and more frequent29.
Mantis Analytics has become essential to Ukraine’s information defense strategy. They work with the National Security and Defense Council and other government agencies that must remain unnamed for security reasons30. Their AI platform gathers and analyzes information from media, social networks, and other sources to understand communication patterns and find misinformation31.
The ‘Unbreakable’ investment fund invested $240,000 in Mantis Analytics in June 202431. This pre-seed funding will help the company enter the U.S. market while supporting its work in Ukraine32. Anton Tarasyuk, Maksym Tereshchenko, and Ostap Vykhopen founded the startup in 2023. They joined the US-based Alchemist Accelerator and received an additional $30,000 investment32.
These strategic collaborations work well despite some challenges. They aid mutual accountability and bring public law norms into private sector work, though many government-tech company discussions about national security stay classified8. Formal partnerships work better than casual interactions, especially when dealing with specific threats using live data8.
Ukraine has transformed its tech innovation ecosystem to meet wartime needs. This change created an effective defense against Russian information operations that grows stronger as the conflict continues.
AI Enhances Situational Awareness and Command Decisions
AI has become a game-changer on Ukraine’s battlefields. It processes massive amounts of data that humans can’t analyze fast enough. Ukrainian forces now respond to threats much faster and with better accuracy thanks to AI-powered systems.
Integration with battlefield systems like Delta
Delta stands at the core of Ukraine’s battlefield intelligence. This cloud-based command-and-control system has changed how Ukrainian forces run their operations. Tech volunteers from Aerorozvidka created it in 2016, and the Ministry of Defense took it over in 2023. The system combines NATO ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) standards smoothly to give Ukrainian Armed Forces a clear picture of the battlefield9.
Delta works as a network-centric warfare system that combines data from many sources into one clear view. The system takes in information from:
- Drone and UAV video footage
- Satellite imagery
- Ground-level photos
- Field scouts and sensors
- Loyal informants in occupied territories9
This combination has led to amazing results. Delta has cut down battlefield decisions from hours to just 30 minutes at the operational level—and as quick as 5 minutes in tactical situations4. The system reduces the mental workload on operators while making precise strikes possible on a large scale.
Ukrainian forces use specialized artillery software like Kropyva and GisArta with Delta. The Army SOS volunteer group created Kropyva in 2014, and now 90-95% of Ukrainian artillery units use it as their main fire control system9. Artillery crews can get automatic firing calculations on their tablets or phones, which makes them ten times faster at hitting targets9.
Delta now has AI features through apps like Vezha, which uses Avengers AI to study drone and camera feeds. This tech spots targets like Russian air defense systems and sends strike commands to armed drones in minutes instead of hours10. Avengers can find 70% of enemy equipment in video feeds and spot single targets in just 2.2 seconds1.
Real-time alerts for psychological operations
Ukraine has adapted AI systems to fight psychological warfare, building on tech first made for military information support. They use tools like the Pentagon’s Entropy system to process online information streams and give operators quick trend summaries11.
These systems tackle the biggest problem of modern warfare: information overload. The sheer amount of content makes it hard for operators to analyze and respond with counter-messages quickly11. AI tools help Ukrainian forces stay ahead in this information race.
The AI systems share common features that let them work with commercial or government platforms11. This flexibility matters a lot for Ukraine’s defense strategy. Systems that tech volunteers first created have grown into advanced battle management tools that hundreds of thousands of soldiers now use daily9.
Ukraine’s military leaders now want all unmanned and reconnaissance systems to work with these awareness platforms6. Manufacturers must design their systems to feed data smoothly into shared command centers. Foreign companies understand this need—Skydio’s drones connect directly to the Ministry of Defense’s Delta system6.
Ukrainian forces have created a detailed, up-to-the-minute battle picture by bringing these technologies together. Their mix of local and international tech has become crucial in defending against Russian aggression.
AI Drones and Surveillance Tools Expand Intelligence Reach
The battlefield over Ukraine has seen a dramatic rise in autonomous drone capabilities. Artificial intelligence has become the decisive factor in aerial intelligence operations. Ukrainian and Russian forces now employ dozens of AI-enhanced systems that help unmanned aerial vehicles operate effectively in contested electromagnetic environments5. These technologies mark a vital turning point in modern warfare and create new possibilities for intelligence collection and precision targeting.
Ukraine AI drones used for ISR and targeting
Ukrainian forces have rolled out various AI-powered drones that focus on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions alongside precision strike capabilities. Ukrainian manufacturers have produced several dozen AI solutions that military and defense forces use throughout the conflict zone5. These systems tackle a major battlefield challenge. The effectiveness of manually piloted drones has dropped significantly. First-person view (FPV) units achieve only 30-50% target strike rates—and as little as 10% for inexperienced pilots5.
AI-operated FPV drones can achieve hit rates around 80%5. Computer vision algorithms guide strike drones autonomously toward selected targets, which leads to this remarkable improvement. NORDA Dynamics, to name just one example, has created software that lets pilots designate targets through drone cameras. The craft then completes its attack autonomously, even during heavy electronic warfare interference5.
Ukrainian forces’ “mothership” drone systems stand out as particularly impressive. Ukraine’s defense platform Brave1 tested a new AI-powered mothership drone in May 2025. This system can identify, locate, and strike targets autonomously at distances up to 300 kilometers3. The GOGOL-M system delivers two FPV attack drones against high-value targets including Russian aircraft, air defense systems, and critical infrastructure3.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) runs sophisticated operations with AI-enhanced drones. SBU operatives transported 150 small strike drones into Russian territory and launched 116 against strategic bomber aircraft in one notable mission12. The operation used domestically developed unmanned systems boosted by artificial intelligence. These systems identified airfields and targeted specific aircraft vulnerabilities without human input12. Russian telecommunications networks with AI course correction capabilities managed the control12.
How AI supports GPS-denied navigation
Ukraine’s drone warfare capability has taken a significant step forward with systems that work effectively in GPS-denied environments. Ukrainian and Russian forces compete in a technological race to develop drones with machine learning capabilities that can bypass electronic warfare jamming3. These systems enable autonomous navigation when traditional control links fail.
Ukrainian forces showcased drones with machine vision capabilities in March 20243. Image recognition algorithms let drones memorize target images and track them even while moving3. AI provides drones with homing capabilities that kick in automatically if electronic warfare interference cuts off operator communication3.
The Brave1 defense platform’s AI-powered intelligence system, Griselda, collects and processes information from satellites, UAVs, social media, and hacked databases7. This system analyzes massive information flows, keeps secure storage, and sends useful intelligence to relevant agencies—all within about 28 seconds7.
Ukraine has made computer vision using machine learning the foundation for many AI-driven video and photo analysis systems6. Deep learning algorithms including 3D convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) process spatial and temporal data from drone footage6. These technologies help machines detect objects whatever their poses or angles might be. They mirror human recognition capabilities but work more consistently and longer6.
These advanced AI capabilities in Ukraine’s defense structure have changed battlefield intelligence collection. They create unprecedented opportunities for situational awareness and precision targeting in challenging operational environments.
Foreign Tech Partnerships Accelerate AI Capabilities
Western tech companies play a vital role in Ukraine’s AI defense strategy. Their specialized capabilities boost the nation’s battlefield intelligence and information warfare operations.
Palantir’s role in battlefield intelligence
Palantir Technologies has formed an unprecedented collaboration with Ukraine by integrating its AI systems throughout government agencies. The company’s software analyzes satellite imagery, open-source data, drone footage, and ground reports. CEO Alex Karp states their system is “responsible for most of the targeting in Ukraine”13. More than six Ukrainian agencies, including the Defense, Economy, and Education Ministries, now employ Palantir’s products13.
MetaConstellation stands at the heart of this partnership. This tool offers immediate battlefield visualization by combining commercial satellite imagery with classified government data13. Ukrainian officials have expanded these capabilities beyond military use. They now exploit Palantir’s AI to document war crimes, clear land mines, resettle refugees, and curb corruption13.
Ukraine’s Attorney General Andriy Kostin confirms his agency uses Palantir’s software. They connect alleged war crimes to evidence through satellite imagery, troop movements, and open-source data13.
Clearview AI and facial recognition in info warfare
Clearview AI has become Ukraine’s “secret weapon” in the information domain2. This controversial facial recognition company provides its technology to 1,500 officials across 18 Ukrainian government agencies2. Their tools have identified more than 230,000 Russian soldiers who joined the invasion2.
Ukraine exploits Clearview’s capabilities for several strategic goals. They detect infiltrators at checkpoints, identify pro-Russia militia members, prosecute Ukrainian collaborators, and have located more than 190 abducted Ukrainian children taken to Russia2.
Clearview’s database holds over 2 billion images from Russian social media service VKontakte14. This rich source of facial data helps Ukraine identify dead soldiers and inform their families. The strategy aims to “dispel the myth of a ‘special operation'” pushed by Russian propaganda15.
Russian soldiers now wear masks more often to avoid identification2. This change in tactics shows how AI-powered identification systems affect modern information warfare.
Ukraine Faces Strategic and Ethical Challenges in AI Use
Ukraine’s military AI ecosystem faces major strategic and ethical challenges that could hamper its fight against Russian aggression, despite its remarkable technological breakthroughs. These problems go way beyond technical issues and raise concerns about military doctrine gaps and humanitarian laws.
Lack of unified AI doctrine
Ukraine doesn’t have a complete long-term strategy to develop its military AI. This creates a serious weakness in its defense technology approach. The country has proven technological capabilities but lacks a clear vision to guide how AI fits into defense operations9. Government institutions don’t have enough management bandwidth and political leaders struggle with complex warfare decisions.
Ukrainian forces focus on quick tactical fixes instead of building a solid, future-ready AI strategy. The 2023 Political Declaration on Responsible Military Use of AI and Autonomy stands as the only AI regulation that Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense supports. This declaration sets guidelines for ethical development and deployment9.
Ukraine faces five key challenges in AI regulation beyond this international agreement. The regulatory framework is fragmented. Clear terminology doesn’t exist. Coordination between institutions is weak. Ethical guidelines remain unclear. The private sector has limited input16.
Concerns over Geneva Convention violations
The quick deployment of AI systems on battlefields raises big questions about following international humanitarian law (IHL). Military leaders need to know if algorithms can tell the difference between soldiers and civilians in unclear situations. They also must determine if AI can assess proportional force like human commanders4.
AI systems often work with incomplete data, lack transparency, or have hidden biases. These limitations become more serious in places with limited information, leading to potential mistakes4.
Traditional IHL expects clear human command chains. AI systems blur these lines and create new questions about responsibility. Who takes the blame when AI decisions cause collateral damage? Should it be the commander, developer, or the state itself?4
Many AI tools serve both civilian and military purposes. Facial recognition, satellite surveillance, and language models designed for civilian use adapt to military needs4. These issues show how Ukraine must balance technological advancement with ethical warfare.
Conclusion
Ukraine has revolutionized modern warfare by using AI technology to fight Russian propaganda networks. Two startups, Osavul and Mantis Analytics, are pioneering this tech revolution. Their tools process massive data sets that humans could never handle alone. Neural networks spot propaganda patterns within minutes, not hours. This quick detection helps Ukrainian authorities stop misinformation before it spreads widely.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation’s coordination through strategic collaborations deserves much credit. These partnerships have reshaped battlefield awareness with systems like Delta, which cuts decision time from hours to minutes. AI-powered drones now work well even without GPS, which creates new ways to gather intelligence.
Foreign partnerships have sped up Ukraine’s progress. Palantir’s targeting systems and Clearview AI’s facial recognition give Ukraine strategic edges that have changed Russian tactics. Russian soldiers now cover their faces to avoid being identified, which proves these AI systems work.
In spite of that, big challenges exist. Ukraine lacks a unified AI doctrine, which limits strategic planning. Questions about following international humanitarian law are becoming more pressing. AI systems might not tell the difference between fighters and civilians or judge proportionality like humans do.
Ukraine’s experience teaches valuable lessons about future conflicts. AI gives smaller nations new ways to defend against bigger opponents, but requires careful ethical thinking. Ukraine’s defensive information operations will likely influence military doctrine worldwide. This influence will reshape how we understand both physical and information warfare for years to come.
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