The director of the Ukrainian Air Intelligence Support Center, Maria Berlinskaya, warned that a leap in unmanned aerial vehicle technology being developed in Russia could pose serious threats to Ukraine. The remarks appeared on the YouTube channel of Ukrainian journalist Natalya Moseychuk.
Berlinskaya noted that Russian engineers are approaching a notable technological milestone. She pointed to emerging uses of thermal imaging cameras and automated tracking guidance in FPV drones, signaling a shift toward more autonomous and precise operations in the field.
This capability enables faster and more accurate targeting with kamikaze drones even under electronic warfare countermeasures, reducing the burden on operators. Berlinskaya added that new unmanned systems are likely to challenge the effectiveness of traditional EW setups, reshaping how battles in the air are fought.
There had been prior indications that Russian experts were advancing in this area, with discussions about a budget-friendly successor to certain already tested drone platforms beginning to surface as part of ongoing demonstrations.
The project was projected to reach completion in the first half of the current year, marking a significant milestone in the development cycle of these aerial assets and their potential battlefield impact.
Earlier assessments referenced drones that had appeared within the contested areas, suggesting a broader deployment or testing phase for new unmanned systems in the region.