Russia, Ukraine Escalate AI and Missile Warfare

Russia has expanded its offensive tactics against Ukraine by not only upgrading Iskander ballistic missiles with radar decoys and quasi-ballistic trajectories but also by adapting drone attacks with higher-altitude Shahed-type drones taking unpredictable routes and employing decoy drones like Parodiya. These developments have lowered Ukraine’s drone interception rates from over 95% to 84% and strained its defenses. Modern Shahed drones are now equipped with shrapnel and cluster munitions and are increasingly targeting civilian areas. In response, Ukraine is deploying automated, AI-controlled turrets and AI-enabled drones to bolster its defenses against the larger, more sophisticated barrages. Despite these challenges, Ukraine continues to intercept a significant proportion of incoming Russian missiles and drones. The escalating conflict underscores a rapid technological arms race, with both sides increasing reliance on AI and autonomous weaponry.