Ragnar Sass on the summer Darkstar bootcamp<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Darkstar Bootcamp 4 recently took place in Kyiv, with 19 defence startups from Ukraine and other European countries participating. Darkstar co-founder Ragnar Sass shared<\/a> his impressions on Facebook and described meetings with representatives of leading units of the Defence Forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201che first phase of the robotics war is already here \u2013 in the Ukrainian sky, on the ground, and at sea. Soon there will first signs from the next frontiers: underwater and space,\u201d the Estonian investor wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sass, Ukraine already has its own AI-driven interceptor drone with more than 100 confirmed Shaheds shot down. AI and machine learning are finally starting to have a real impact on the battlefield and are bringing genuine autonomy to military systems. The Darkstar co-founder also says he has seen drone projects in Ukraine capable of carrying up to 1,000 kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the bootcamp participants, Sass noted a \u201cwake-up of Europe\u201d: this time seven strong European teams took part. He says the fifth Darkstar bootcamp will be held in the autumn of 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vector AI from Quantum Systems \u2014 now in Ukraine<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nGerman company Quantum Systems has delivered Vector AI drones to Ukraine. The drones come equipped with artificial intelligence and an integrated WASP acoustic system for detecting outgoing artillery fire, Quantum co-founder Florian Seibel wrote<\/a> on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cAcoustic sensing has arrived above the Ukrainian frontlines. Vector AI is capable of sensing direction\/distance of artillery being fired, boosting a flight time of up to 4 hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Drone](\"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/u8n2hb3kvyd5lwvsw33e-1024x577.webp\")
Vector AI drone \/ Source: Florian Seibel’s LinkedIn page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nVector AI is the new generation of the Vector family, which the Ukrainian Defence Forces have successfully used. Defender Media recently reported<\/a> on Quantum Systems\u2019 cooperation with the Nemesis unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn July, the Ukrainian MoD authorised over 40 UAVs and eight UGVs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Ministry of Defence of Ukraine says<\/a> that during July 2025, it authorised more than 40 new unmanned aerial systems for use by the Defence Forces \u2014 all domestically produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe ministry also reported<\/a> that eight new unmanned ground vehicles were codified last month, again exclusively from Ukrainian manufacturers. Most of the UGVs authorised in July can perform logistics tasks and evacuate wounded personnel. July\u2019s list also included several multipurpose universal platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUGV Kisia evacuates a soldier from the 118th Brigade<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nReports of successful evacuations using UGVs are becoming more frequent<\/a>. The 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade has published an account of such an operation using a ground robot named Kisia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201che first phase of the robotics war is already here \u2013 in the Ukrainian sky, on the ground, and at sea. Soon there will first signs from the next frontiers: underwater and space,\u201d the Estonian investor wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Sass, Ukraine already has its own AI-driven interceptor drone with more than 100 confirmed Shaheds shot down. AI and machine learning are finally starting to have a real impact on the battlefield and are bringing genuine autonomy to military systems. The Darkstar co-founder also says he has seen drone projects in Ukraine capable of carrying up to 1,000 kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the bootcamp participants, Sass noted a \u201cwake-up of Europe\u201d: this time seven strong European teams took part. He says the fifth Darkstar bootcamp will be held in the autumn of 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vector AI from Quantum Systems \u2014 now in Ukraine<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nGerman company Quantum Systems has delivered Vector AI drones to Ukraine. The drones come equipped with artificial intelligence and an integrated WASP acoustic system for detecting outgoing artillery fire, Quantum co-founder Florian Seibel wrote<\/a> on LinkedIn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cAcoustic sensing has arrived above the Ukrainian frontlines. Vector AI is capable of sensing direction\/distance of artillery being fired, boosting a flight time of up to 4 hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVector AI drone \/ Source: Florian Seibel’s LinkedIn page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nVector AI is the new generation of the Vector family, which the Ukrainian Defence Forces have successfully used. Defender Media recently reported<\/a> on Quantum Systems\u2019 cooperation with the Nemesis unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn July, the Ukrainian MoD authorised over 40 UAVs and eight UGVs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe Ministry of Defence of Ukraine says<\/a> that during July 2025, it authorised more than 40 new unmanned aerial systems for use by the Defence Forces \u2014 all domestically produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe ministry also reported<\/a> that eight new unmanned ground vehicles were codified last month, again exclusively from Ukrainian manufacturers. Most of the UGVs authorised in July can perform logistics tasks and evacuate wounded personnel. July\u2019s list also included several multipurpose universal platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUGV Kisia evacuates a soldier from the 118th Brigade<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nReports of successful evacuations using UGVs are becoming more frequent<\/a>. The 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade has published an account of such an operation using a ground robot named Kisia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAcoustic sensing has arrived above the Ukrainian frontlines. Vector AI is capable of sensing direction\/distance of artillery being fired, boosting a flight time of up to 4 hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vector AI is the new generation of the Vector family, which the Ukrainian Defence Forces have successfully used. Defender Media recently reported<\/a> on Quantum Systems\u2019 cooperation with the Nemesis unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine says<\/a> that during July 2025, it authorised more than 40 new unmanned aerial systems for use by the Defence Forces \u2014 all domestically produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ministry also reported<\/a> that eight new unmanned ground vehicles were codified last month, again exclusively from Ukrainian manufacturers. Most of the UGVs authorised in July can perform logistics tasks and evacuate wounded personnel. July\u2019s list also included several multipurpose universal platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reports of successful evacuations using UGVs are becoming more frequent<\/a>. The 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade has published an account of such an operation using a ground robot named Kisia.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn July, the Ukrainian MoD authorised over 40 UAVs and eight UGVs<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
UGV Kisia evacuates a soldier from the 118th Brigade<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n