Ukraine Claims to Have Shot Down Russian Drone with 'AI-Controlled Machine Gun'

Ukraine has claimed that it shot down a Russian drone using a machine gun controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the AP and AFP news agencies on the 5th (local time), the Ukrainian Air Force announced that it successfully shot down a Russian jet-powered drone using a robotic turret controlled by AI.

Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, stated on state TV that "robotic turrets are currently being installed on bridges" and that "machine vision technology is used for the shootdowns. Thanks to AI, we can even engage jet-powered drones."

He stated that "there are already cases of these drones being shot down," including the "Geran-5," a jet-powered drone known to have been developed based on the Iranian-made Shahed series.

Ihnat explained regarding the turrets that they "use optical equipment and AI to remove the element of human intervention and carry out firing," AFP reported.

Serhii Beskrestnov, a technology adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also stated via social media last weekend that 12 automated turrets have been installed in the capital, Kyiv, to counter Russia's jet-powered drones, with more to be installed.

He described the turrets as "AI-controlled machine guns" and called them "an innovative Ukrainian solution to shoot down drones."

Ukraine has been seeking ways to intercept Russia's new drones, which have been striking the capital for months.

This is because Russia's latest jet-powered drones are faster and harder to intercept than older models, while Ukraine's air defense network faces a severe shortage of ammunition suitable for shooting them down.

However, AFP pointed out that the AI machine guns are not a complete solution to the problem.

Ihnat also noted that the operational radius of the system is "about 1 kilometer" and that "it operates under favorable conditions, such as the correct approach angle of the attacking drone."

Emphasizing that "this is not a panacea," he explained that the turrets are "part of an integrated air defense system" that allows targets to be intercepted at various stages.

He added that most responses to jet-powered drones are currently handled by fighter jets such as F-16s, saying, "We are relying on all available means."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.