Ukraine Targets AI Drone Makers

In a significant move, Ukraine has announced a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree that enforces the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. This latest action is aimed at manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles utilizing artificial intelligence, as well as their suppliers.

The sanctions impact 39 individuals and 55 companies, which include 43 Russian, 10 Chinese, and two Belarusian entities. Notable among these are key developers of strike and FPV drones like Zala Aero, Smart Birds, and Vostok Design Bureau. Additionally, electronics suppliers from China and Belarus, as well as AI development centers such as Neurolab and the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies, are affected.

Ukraine is actively collaborating with its international partners to synchronize these sanctions globally. Alongside this move, President Zelenskyy has also approved amendments to the State Register of Sanctions, particularly concerning vessels and aircraft.