Minister: Ukraine will beat Russia in war of technologies

KYIV, Ukraine — As Ukrainian and Russian troops fight conventional battles on the front lines, Europe’s first major war of the internet age has also sparked a war of technology as both sides vie for the advantage with their drones and satellite communications.

While the two sides have kept pace with one another thus far, Ukraine’s minister in charge of technology told The Associated Press in an interview Friday, April 21, 2023, that he was confident his country had the motivation and abilities to out-innovate Russia in the end.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, said unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, electronic warfare, satellite communications and other technologies had been a fundamental part of the war with Russia that began more than a year ago.

“Technologies allow traditional and modern artillery to be more accurate, and they help save the lives of our soldiers,” he said.

“When you have ‘eyes’ over you, you can make more effective decisions about managing your troops.”

He acknowledged that Russia was also aware of the importance of technology on the battlefield, and was actively developing and improving its own.

“Every day, there are new UAVs on the battlefield from our side and from Russia’s side,” Fedorov said. “We see what kind of drones they have. We receive, disassemble and study them.”

He said the government was planning investments in new technology projects to encourage further competition and innovation.

“In this technology war we will surely win,” he said. “Even if fewer than 50-60 percent of supported projects will give some result, it can be decisive on the battlefield.”

In recent weeks, anticipation of a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring has risen. Fedorov said it was impossible to imagine any efficient operations without technologies on the battlefield. (AP)