Ukraine's drone sector stays on course after defence minister's ouster

Ukrainian engineer Eduard Trotsenko, founder and CEO of robot maker Temerland, is developing a range of autonomous ground drones, including prototypes that can land on high‑voltage lines, robot dogs and combat units equipped with RPGs or heavy machine guns. These systems are used to evacuate wounded soldiers and transport supplies, reducing the need for personnel in the dangerous "kill zone" where Russian and Ukrainian drones operate.

Ukraine has built a large‑scale drone industry from scratch, praised by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the best in the world. The recent dismissal of defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a strong advocate for drones and the creator of the Defence AI Center A1 that integrates AI into the military, sparked concerns about the sector's future. However, industry players and military officials say the momentum will continue, with Trotsenko’s prototypes already being tested in some brigades and awaiting further approval from the General Staff.