Dorozvidka #51: Verkhovodov, Gryshyn, Yaremchuk, Rokoshevskyi, and a record-breaking bomber from Gurzuf Defence

In this edition of Dorozvidka:

• A column by D3 partner Anton Verkhovodov on the growing appeal of defence for venture investment
• An interview with Farsight Vision co-founder and CEO Viktoriia Yaremchuk on the team and bubbles in defence tech
• Changes in Roboneers’ operating structure
• The story of heavy bomber manufacturer Gurzuf Defence
• A column by General Cherry co-founder Stanislav Gryshyn on the technological transformation of war
• A new version of the TerMIT UGV by Tencore.

Anton Verkhovodov on why VCs should invest in defence tech

In his column for Resilience Media, D3 partner Anton Verkhovodov challenges the idea that defence tech is ill-suited to venture capital. According to him, the market is evolving under the influence of technology and Ukraine’s experience, creating strong opportunities for investors of different profiles, including VCs.

Verkhovodov writes, “Defence is not a monopsony. It is B2B2G. Everyone fixates on the B2G layer — the largest revenue, yes, but also the strictest regulations, the least flexibility, and direct competition from the primes. But primes need an entire ecosystem of suppliers to be able to sell to governments in the first place. It is the B2B part of the defence industry that is interesting for investors. Winning in the new defence tech reality is not only about becoming the next prime (or neoprime). Build great horizontal technology (say, autonomous navigation) and many integrators become your customers. That is a very different — and much more VC-compatible — business model.”

Read more.

Gurzuf Defence: the story of a heavy bomber manufacturer

Oboronka has published an in-depth feature on the Ukrainian company Gurzuf Defence, which produces Heavy Shot bombers and other drones.

“Ten years ago, the Gurzuf team started in a garage assembling primitive civilian drones bought by cigarette smugglers. Today, it produces heavy UAVs delivering payloads and striking enemy targets across the front,” the outlet writes.

Heavy Shot drones rank among the top ten most effective strike systems in use. Ukraine’s Defence Forces receive these bombers not only from the state but also from partners in the Netherlands.

Journalists spoke with Gurzuf Defence’s co-founders and visited its R&D centre, production facilities, and test range. Among the systems showcased was the Aiudag-6 heavy hexacopter, capable of carrying up to 90 kg of payload over distances of up to 25 km.

Farsight Vision CEO on team and deftech bubbles

DOU published an interview with Farsight Vision co-founder and CEO Viktoriia Yaremchuk. She spoke about how battlefield “digital twins” work, why these systems can sometimes be more accurate than satellite imagery, and what it’s like to run a defence tech startup during wartime.

Farsight Vision, a Ukrainian-Estonian defence company, develops software and hardware solutions for intelligence and autonomous systems. Its products transform drone imagery into detailed 3D models and orthophotos with integrated object detection and anomaly tracking — even in GNSS-denied environments. The company recently raised $7.2 million.

Stanislav Gryshyn on the technological transformation of war

General Cherry co-founder Stanislav Gryshyn published a column in Militarnyi on the global expansion of Ukraine’s wartime experience, the role of AI in defence tech, logistics automation, remote mining, and other key trends.

“Forecasting how warfare technologies evolve is a thankless task. Too many variables emerge and disappear within months — tactics, technologies, access to components, regulation, geopolitics. The fabric of war is woven from ‘black swans’ that defy prediction. What seemed standard yesterday can become obsolete today,” he writes.

“One thing will remain constant: feedback from the military will be critical. Every product must be developed in close cooperation with units, based on real combat experience. Honest, sometimes harsh feedback is what helps identify weaknesses and improve technical solutions.”

Read more.

Taras Rokoshevskyi leaves Roboneers

Taras Rokoshevskyi, who has been part of Roboneers’ management since 2023 and focused on UGV development, is stepping down from operational duties, the company said in a press release. The parties will continue cooperation in a partnership format.

Roboneers says it is entering a phase of strategic transformation, including changes to its management structure.

TerMIT with thermal imaging

Tencore has developed a thermal-camera-equipped version of its flagship TerMIT UGV.

“We adapted the platform for 24/7 operation by integrating a thermal camera alongside night optics. This allows the operator to detect targets even where conventional cameras go ‘blind’, which is critical for identifying enemy personnel along logistics routes,” the company said.