Experts warn of ethical risks as Ukraine’s AI drones push autonomous warfare limits

Ukraine’s deployment of AI-enabled drones in its ongoing conflict with Russia marks a significant shift in modern warfare, raising profound ethical questions.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down a Russian fighter jet using missiles launched from an unmanned naval drone, highlighting the battlefield as a testing ground for advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous drones.

Kateryna Bondar, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, notes that out of nearly 2 million drones acquired by Ukraine in 2024, around 10,000 are AI-enabled. This integration of AI allows drones to operate with increased autonomy, especially when communication with human operators is disrupted.

According to Helsing’s Baker, AI can "replace the functionality that is made impossible," enabling drones to navigate, target, and coordinate with other drones independently.

However, experts like Reynolds warn of the "very serious ethical implications" of weapons acting with full autonomy and no human oversight. The call for regulation is urgent to address how to "mitigate unnecessary harm" and ensure responsible use of such technologies.

As Ukraine’s AI drones push the limits of autonomous warfare, the international community faces critical decisions about the future of combat ethics and the governance of AI-powered weapons systems.

Ukraine’s use of AI-enabled drones in warfare, including shooting down a Russian jet, raises ethical concerns about autonomous weapons. Experts highlight the need for regulation as AI allows drones to operate independently when communication with human operators is disrupted, pushing the boundaries of modern combat technology.