28 Apr 2025

light mode

AI Drones: The Forefront of Modern Warfare

Russia’s economy is steadily moving towards a military emphasis: by 2024, Putin intends to dedicate 6% of the GDP to defense industry needs. Despite Western sanctions, the exportation of energy resources—such as crude oil, oil processing products, and natural gas—remains the major financial backbone for Russia’s budget.

For this reason, Ukraine, defending itself against Moscow's military aggression since February 2022, has employed long-range drones to target the oil refining infrastructure of the aggressor country.

These targets are often dependent on Western technologies and components, meaning that, due to sanction-imposed restrictions, Russia encounters significant obstacles in repairing the damages caused by Ukraine.

CNN journalists have highlighted the attack on one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, the Ryazan Oil Refining Company, located 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, as an illustrative example. 

This military action was made possible through the integration of long-range drones powered by artificial intelligence systems. AI aids Ukrainian UAVs in navigating the landscape and avoiding electronic countermeasures. 

They have this thing called ‘machine vision,’ which is a form of AI. Basically you take a model and you have it on a chip and you train this model to identify geography and the target it is navigating to,

explains Noah Sylvia, a research analyst at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-based think tank.

Through the integration with AI, Ukrainian drones gain the capability to “understand” their whereabouts, making these AI drones fully autonomous and eliminating the need for satellite data. Although the construction of UAVs at this level of sophistication was previously not feasible, experts are confident that the Ukrainians are only starting to unlock the military potential of AI technology. 

AI-powered drones in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Source: CNN

AI-powered drones in use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Source: CNN

According to Bloomberg's analysis, Ukraine has succeeded in targeting up to 14% of Russian oil refining capabilities. This has effectively reduced oil processing by 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day. 

The incorporation of AI is also becoming apparent in Israel's war against the terrorist organization Hamas. An Israeli Defense Ministry spokesperson informed Agence France-Presse that the Israeli army (IDF) now employs AI-driven targeting systems and drones. Additionally, the IDF uses AI for neutralizing enemy drones and mapping the network of Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip. 

Military procurement significantly bolsters Israel's tech sector, with the industry contributing up to 18% to the nation's GDP in 2022. However, the war has severely impacted Israeli IT, with recent assessments showing that about 8% of the sector's workforce has been conscripted into the IDF.

We have previously covered how the war in Israel has impacted the operations of tech giants such as Intel and Nvidia.

The content on The Coinomist is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content. Neither we accept liability for any errors or omissions in the information provided or for any financial losses incurred as a result of relying on this information. Actions based on this content are at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult a professional. See our Terms, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers for more details.

Articles by this author
Bitget Targets 8 Accounts for $20M Manipulation of VOXEL Token

Bitget Targets 8 Accounts for $20M Manipulation of VOXEL Token

Crypto exchange Bitget said it will send legal notices to eight accounts suspected of profiting more than $20 million through VOXEL token manipulation. The exchange pledged to reimburse affected users through an airdrop.

Dmytro Psevdonimenko
N Crypto Conference 2025: Web3 Talks in Kyiv

N Crypto Conference 2025: Web3 Talks in Kyiv

The N Crypto Conference 2025 concluded successfully in Kyiv, attracting nearly 1,000 participants. The event featured 17 speakers, panel discussions on Web3 trends, and even a CS2 esports tournament.

Vlad Vovk
Loopscale Suffers $6M Hack, Negotiates Bounty With Exploiter

Loopscale Suffers $6M Hack, Negotiates Bounty With Exploiter

DeFi platform Loopscale is holding negotiations with a hacker after a $6 million exploit on April 26, 2025.

Anahit Avetisyan
ProShares to Roll Out XRP Futures ETF Lineup

ProShares to Roll Out XRP Futures ETF Lineup

ProShares is expanding its crypto product suite with three XRP futures ETFs, including leveraged and inverse options.

Anton Kryshtal
Crypto Talk on X Today: RTFKT Issues, PolytSwap Launch & More

Crypto Talk on X Today: RTFKT Issues, PolytSwap Launch & More

Recently, images from RTFKT’s CloneX NFT collection stopped showing on platforms. They’re back now, and Head of Tech Samuel Cardillo explained what went wrong.

Anahit Avetisyan
Hot Crypto Talk on X Today: Scott Melker’s Identity Faked, & More

Hot Crypto Talk on X Today: Scott Melker’s Identity Faked, & More

Crypto was hit with a new influencer scam today – Scott Melker, also known as The Wolf of All Streets, revealed that scammers deepfaked his identity and stole $4 million from a victim.

Anahit Avetisyan
From the Federal Reserve to the Front-Runner: Who Is Kevin Warsh, Trump’s Likely Pick?

From the Federal Reserve to the Front-Runner: Who Is Kevin Warsh, Trump’s Likely Pick?

Trump wants Powell out—and Kevin Warsh may be next in line. Could he reshape the Fed under a second Trump presidency?

Elina Moskovchuk
Kaia: What Happens When LINE and Kakao Merge into One Blockchain

Kaia: What Happens When LINE and Kakao Merge into One Blockchain

In just half a year, Kaia has quietly racked up 20 million transactions and drawn in over 400,000 active wallets. Built directly into Asia’s most ubiquitous messaging apps, its reach now extends to nearly 300 million users—a bold blueprint for Web3 adoption.

Vlad Vovk
What Is the Next Bitcoin-Like Investment? Key Factors to Consider

What Is the Next Bitcoin-Like Investment? Key Factors to Consider

Explore the critical factors in evaluating the next breakthrough digital asset. Learn how innovation, decentralization, security, and market trends can help spot a Bitcoin-like opportunity.

The Coinomist
What Is Open Interest in Options? Factors to Consider

What Is Open Interest in Options? Factors to Consider

A comprehensive guide on open interest in options trading, explaining its significance, how it differs from volume, and the key factors to consider when using it for strategy.

The Coinomist
ICO Meaning and Its Role in Blockchain Technology

ICO Meaning and Its Role in Blockchain Technology

ICOs let blockchain projects raise capital by selling tokens. Here’s how they work, their benefits, and the risks investors should be aware of.

The Coinomist
Crypto Whale Activity: What It Means for Your Investment Portfolio

Crypto Whale Activity: What It Means for Your Investment Portfolio

Crypto whales can move markets with a single trade. Learn how their actions affect prices—and how to adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

The Coinomist
What Are Covered Calls? Benefits and Risks

What Are Covered Calls? Benefits and Risks

Covered calls let investors earn income from stocks they already own. Learn how the strategy works, when to use it, and what risks to watch out for.

The Coinomist
Bitcoin Trades Sideways at $92K–$95K: Short Squeeze Unfolds Amid ETF Inflows

Bitcoin Trades Sideways at $92K–$95K: Short Squeeze Unfolds Amid ETF Inflows

Between $92,000 and $95,000, Bitcoin finds stillness. Traders retreat, ETFs awaken, and the market holds its breath—awaiting a spark to reignite the chart.

Anton Kryshtal
Bitcoin Retreats Slightly From $95K as Traders Lock In Gains

Bitcoin Retreats Slightly From $95K as Traders Lock In Gains

Despite a modest price correction, Bitcoin’s market share is expanding, with institutional investors continuing to pour capital into BTC ETFs.

Anton Kryshtal
MORE
Eternal Lines: Why Preserve Books on the Blockchain?

Eternal Lines: Why Preserve Books on the Blockchain?

As information becomes increasingly vulnerable to censorship, people are searching for new ways to preserve it reliably. One such solution is blockchain, which allows for the creation of permanent archives.

Iaroslava Kramarenko
Bitcoin Education Goes Academic: Inside the First Online Master’s Program

Bitcoin Education Goes Academic: Inside the First Online Master’s Program

You’ve heard of HODLing. Now imagine studying it. Spain’s University of the Hespérides is offering the world’s first Master’s in Bitcoin — and it’s more radical than you think.

Elina Moskovchuk
MORE