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Ukraine’s drone expertise is in demand

Sep 1, 2026, 6:19pm EDT
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Members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces prepare a drone
Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters

Ukraine is intensifying its aerial assault against Russia with drones that fly for longer and carry a larger payload, boosting Kyiv’s profile as allied nations race to distill its battle-tested insights.

Ukraine is “churning out cutting-edge military technology” at a speed with “few parallels in modern history,” The Wall Street Journal wrote. That expertise is in high demand: Italy is bringing on Ukraine’s ousted defense minister and drone impresario to advise on strategy, as Poland, facing heightened incursions from Russia, prepares for joint drone exercises with the US that are explicitly modeled on Ukrainian soldiers’ experiences.

Taiwan also recently credited Ukraine with inspiring its drone push. China, meanwhile, is turning to Moscow for “the latest battlefield lessons,” The Economist reported.

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