Ukrainian Defense Tech: Forging Innovation in the Crucible of War

Airlogix: From Cargo Drones to Military Reconnaissance

Airlogix, founded in 2020 as a startup focused on cargo delivery to remote areas using drones, shifted its focus from civilian to military applications with the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The company now specializes in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and aviation complexes, stating that they are “on the wing to victory”.

“Before the full-scale invasion, we had no connection to the military. We had civilian engineers with bright ideas for the future. But February 24th happened, and we realized we had to help”, says founder and CEO Vitalii Kolesnichenko.

Airlogix launched the production of reconnaissance UAVs, explaining that while they previously worked with cargo drones, they lacked expertise in ammunition and bombers. Their reconnaissance aviation complex, named GOR, boasts a flight duration of up to four hours, an operating altitude of up to 3500 meters, and a range of 260 km. It can be assembled in 30 seconds and prepared for a mission in 10 minutes. GOR is equipped with advanced cameras, including the lightweight Raptor with dual EO/IR stabilization and long-range capabilities, the EO/IR camera with stabilization HightHawk2, and the X80 camera with 80x zoom capability. The project also features a backup navigation system for accurate coordinates during GPS jamming and a communication system with eight channels of pseudo-random frequency hopping to prevent suppression.

Currently, Airlogix is not considering returning to cargo UAVs for the civilian sector. “We need to prepare for the next phase of the war because they [the Russians] are constantly trying to destroy us, as history shows. After this round of war, they will become stronger, gain more people and technology, and attack us again. We must be ready – have our own technologies, means of protection, weapons”, says Kolesnichenko.

He also notes that Defense Tech startups will face challenges in securing funding after the war due to the focus on reconstruction efforts. “Of course, there will be some purchases, but they won’t be significant enough for us to earn and reinvest in further development. So, most likely, exports will begin. We will need to focus on other markets and keep investments and international support in the country – this way we can create new technologies”, Kolesnichenko believes.

Kolossal and DeepStateMap: Real-time Monitoring of the Battlefield

In 2019, Roman Pohorilyi and Ruslan Mykula envisioned a platform for monitoring information. By 2020, they launched a Telegram channel publishing international events, which Pohorilyi describes as a hobby at the time.

As the full-scale invasion approached, the channel started incorporating OSINT techniques to track Russian troop movements.

Today, Kolossal is an integrated OSINT platform for collecting, analyzing, and displaying information about events on the frontline. Part of this data is presented on DeepStateMap, another project by the team.

The name DeepState was chosen based on the concept of the “deep state,” a group of unelected officials influencing government policy. “We discussed various concepts and chose the name Deep State, as the channel was then dedicated to international events, with the idea that maybe one day we could influence society, processes, be known, and bring benefits”, says Pohorilyi.

The Kolossal team, consisting of over 100 people, tracks and collects photos and videos published by Russian troops to analyze positions, equipment locations, and quantities. The Ukrainian army can use the map to check details like weather, terrain, radiation levels, natural disasters registered by NASA satellites, the location of defensive structures, and the consequences of nuclear weapons use, enabling them to plan their own actions.

“We have horizontal connections with the soldiers, and that’s our advantage in that, in addition to OSINT, the public side that is the foundation, there is additional verification. Today it’s difficult to track public moments when you see a video or photo, but it’s impossible to draw any conclusions. We try to confirm, verify, and clarify many points”, explains Pohorilyi.

He emphasizes the life-saving importance of the map, as it’s also used by the State Emergency Service and evacuation services, with whom the company has signed a memorandum.

Pohorilyi acknowledges that the Russians also have a strong OSINT component. “They cannot be underestimated, they are working and developing, but of course, there are noticeable mistakes – at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, they loved to publish where they were, in which landing, what they were storming. At the same time, they have a developed UAV system as part of their reconnaissance”.

DeepStateMap is banned in Russia by the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, but Russians can access the maps through VPNs.

“For everyone who visits from Russia, we have a pop-up greeting that shows that they can surrender, provides contacts for the Main Intelligence Directorate and the ‘I Want to Live’ project, and to close this pop-up, you need to click the ‘Crimea is Ukraine’ button. So everyone who has visited must click and acknowledge that Crimea is part of Ukraine”, says Ruslan Mykula.

In 2024, Kolossal signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Defense for information exchange. This agreement covers the work of the information and analytical components.

The team is currently working towards victory – until the entire map turns green (the color used to mark liberated territories of Ukraine). Only then, according to Roman Pohorilyi, will they be able to determine their further direction.

Mantis Analytics: AI-Powered Management of Physical and Information Risks

Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics combine physical combat with information warfare, aiming to sow discord and create internal enemies. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, IT volunteers joined the fight against Russian propaganda, eventually launching Mantis Analytics, an AI-powered platform for monitoring the information landscape.

“The idea arose spontaneously”, says co-founder Anton Tarasyuk. “We wanted to contribute to curbing Russian aggression, even if we couldn’t stop it completely. So, several people came together, believing they could technologically enhance our capabilities in the information space”.

This initiative evolved into a startup founded by Tarasyuk, Maksym Tereshchenko, and Ostap Vykhopen. It began with the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine needing to automate the monitoring of the Russian information space. Now, their platform is used not only by the government but also by businesses for analyzing both informational and physical risks.

How it works:

• Data collection: The first step involves gathering high-quality input data.
• Risk categorization: AI helps determine whether the data relates to informational or physical risks, identifying signals that could be linked to events like the Kakhovka HPP explosion in 2023.
• AI-powered filtering: AI sifts through the vast amount of information to highlight critical messages, enabling human analysts to focus on the most relevant content.
• Human analysis and response: Human experts play a crucial role in verifying AI-generated insights and formulating appropriate responses to information attacks, such as issuing statements, providing explanations to partners, and implementing crisis communication strategies. Mantis Analytics ensures these actions are based on reliable data, obtained quickly and in a timely manner.

Future outlook:

Tarasyuk believes society is still captive to the old concept of war fought with bullets and tanks, but Russia’s hybrid war has demonstrated a different approach, following the so-called “Gerasimov doctrine”: for every kinetic action (bullet or tank shot), there are four non-kinetic (informational) attacks.

“Therefore, there will be plenty of work even after the war against Ukraine ends – there will still be Moldova, Georgia, the process of European integration, and so on. The positive side is that we won’t be left without work; the negative side is that we will also need to work outside of Ukraine”, Tarasyuk states confidently.

He adds that Ukraine is currently experiencing rapid technology testing and adaptation on the battlefield. He is convinced that the market for Defense Tech startups and companies will become part of the country’s post-war economy, as the need for defense will not disappear.

“Moreover, the attitude towards military technologies has changed: developers are finding dual-use applications for their products to extend their projects to the civilian population”, he concludes.

Rcam: AI-Powered Battlefield Surveillance

Rcam has developed a cutting-edge battlefield surveillance camera that utilizes AI and thermal imaging to automatically detect and classify enemy movement, providing real-time coordinates. The camera increases the volume of continuous reconnaissance data, saves time and resources on constant reconnaissance efforts, and ensures 24/7 surveillance, capabilities that drones and binoculars cannot match.

Key features:

• AI-powered target identification: The camera uses neural networks to classify objects as human or machine and determine their distance.
• ECM resistance: The camera is not susceptible to electronic warfare.
• Passive operation: The system does not emit any radiation, heat, or other waves, making it undetectable.
• Long-range detection: It can detect movement up to 1000 meters during the day and 500 meters at night.
• Rugged design: The camera can withstand falls from three meters, operate in temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius, and function during heavy rain.

Rcam is currently finalizing the camera’s development and plans to start mass production in the fall, collaborating with a Polish electronics manufacturer to leverage their production capabilities.

Aerobavovna: Aerostats for Enhanced Drone Communication

Aerobavovna, a manufacturer of military and civilian aerostats, has shifted its focus from festival advertising to producing mobile aerostat systems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2023.

An aerostat resembles a large white balloon tethered to the ground, carrying a payload such as a camera or a relay, depending on the task. While drones can perform similar functions, aerostats offer practical advantages.

“An aerostat can stay airborne for two days. No drone can fly that long, and the aerostat is more cost-effective. Anything that flies for several hours is already an expensive drone”, says co-founder Yurii Visoven.

Aerostats remain virtually invisible to the enemy, even from a distance of several kilometers, eliminating the need for camouflage. They stay aloft using helium, and a tail-like structure helps them withstand strong winds by adjusting their angle and preventing them from crashing.

Launching an aerostat takes two people and a few minutes. It’s filled with helium, requiring 10 cubic meters or one and a half cylinders per aerostat. The amount of helium depends on the payload. The wind speed during launch should not exceed 15 meters per second, and at the front, it can be launched 2 km from the line of contact.

The aerostat can reach altitudes of up to 700 meters, but there’s no need to raise it above 500 meters. Even at 300 meters, the relay provides a radio horizon of up to 40 km for FPV drones, which typically fly a maximum of 20 km. However, there’s a direct correlation between the relay’s altitude and signal strength: the higher the relay, the better the chances of the signal overcoming electronic warfare.

Aerobavovna plans to increase production scale. While they currently collaborate with a limited number of brigades, the number of requests is constantly growing. After a YouTube channel featured AEROBAVOVNA, they received about 30 requests and currently have around 50 pending requests from various units.

Himera: Secure Communication Solutions for Challenging Environments

Founded in 2022 by aerospace entrepreneurs Misha Rudominskyi and Oleksii Oliinyk, Ukrainian Defense Tech startup Himera develops secure communication systems resistant to electronic warfare (EW) and eavesdropping. Their products cater to the needs of police, rescue workers, and the military.

With the full-scale invasion, brigades sought reliable communication systems, primarily Motorola. “We thought it wasn’t too complicated, so within a year, we built the first model – the Himera G1 radio – and now another one, the Himera G1 Pro. And I think this is not the last one”, says co-founder Misha Rudominskyi.

How it works:

• Himera G1 Pro: The upgraded version supports multiple data types, including voice, GPS coordinates, and text messages. It features Blue Force Tracking 3 for offline map positioning and integrates with surveillance and reconnaissance systems through C4ISR.
• EW resistance and encryption: Both radios employ frequency hopping to counter EW and prevent signal interception. They also utilize AES-256 encryption for secure communication.
• Mesh networking: The radios automatically act as relays, extending communication range over long distances and overcoming obstacles like hills and forests.
• Enhanced durability: The G1 Pro boasts improved mechanical characteristics, making it more resistant to harsh conditions.
• User-friendly interface: The new radio has a quick setup screen and additional buttons for ease of use. It can be configured via Bluetooth using a secure Android app on a phone or tablet.
• Long battery life: The G1 Pro offers extended battery life, exceeding 48 hours under standard conditions and potentially lasting even longer in less active communication scenarios.

Security measures:

Himera radios are designed to be tamper-proof. Even if they fall into enemy hands, the most adversaries can do is examine them externally. There are no exposed IP identifiers or possibilities for code extraction. In case of loss, the unit can be reprogrammed within seconds, ensuring continued secure communication.

Future plans:

Himera has an official distributor in the USA and partners in the EU and NATO partner countries. They aim to expand their reach and provide secure communication solutions to a wider audience.

MilChat: Secure Messenger for Military Personnel

Milchat, the first specialized Ukrainian messenger for the military, was created in 2018 by developer Yaroslav Sherstyuk with the support of Noosphere. Sherstyuk’s military and engineering background, including studies at the Military Institute of Missile Forces and Artillery and development of a fire control system, equipped him with the necessary expertise.

Sherstyuk has also developed other military-focused applications, such as “Topic” and “TORO” for all military personnel, “My gun” and “Ukrop” for artillerymen, and “Tactic Map” for both military and civilian use.

The development of Milchat stemmed from Sherstyuk’s curiosity about secure data transmission in the military. The app’s key feature is its map-centric interface, resembling a chat but with a map instead of a chat window and markers on the map instead of text messages for exchanging tactical information.

How it works:

• Map interaction: Milchat allows users to record and interact with tracks on the map, share real-time location using the US military standard MIL-STD-2525, measure distances and angles, work offline, and search by coordinates (supported coordinate systems: SK-42, WGS-84, UTM, and MGRS).
• Security features: The app is built on the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption and includes additional data protection measures:
  • Emergency data deletion from the device
  • Encrypted local contact database (registration without phone number, adding contacts via QR code, Nearby, login, or email)
  • Control over account access from other devices
  • End-to-end encrypted calls
  • Automatic message deletion with a timer
  • No message history on new devices (read messages are not stored on the server)
• Track recording: Milchat can record tracks during hikes, allowing users to retrace their steps.

Future plans:

Currently, the developer is working on other applications, and Milchat is 50% owned by him.

Specialized Apps for Artillery, Forward Observers, and Reconnaissance

Yaroslav Sherstyuk, a developer with a military and engineering background, began creating military applications even when button phones were the peak of technology. His portfolio includes several specialized apps: “Topic” and “TORO” for all military personnel, “My gun” and “Ukrop” for artillerymen, and “Tactic Map” for both military and civilian use.

My gun/Ukrop: Designed for artillery, reconnaissance, forward observers, and topogeodesists, these apps (with different names due to marketplace specifics but identical functionality) offer features such as meteorological data, calculation of topogeodetic tasks for target coordinate determination without GPS, and a ballistic calculator for calculating gun aiming angles.

Tactic Map: Created for both military and civilian use, this app allows civilians to mark tactical situations and identify dangerous areas on the map. Volunteers can also use it to organize safe trips to military personnel.

In 2022, the Ukrainian government mandated the transition to the WGS-84 geodetic system and UTM projection for military topographic maps, aligning with NATO standards and ensuring compatibility with partner-supplied weaponry.

How they work:

• Tactic Map: Allows creation of tactical objects and layers according to NATO standards, storage and management of points and objects on the map, support for various coordinate systems (USK2000, WGS84, MGRS, UTM), sharing of layers and objects with other users, and data storage in iCloud.
• My gun/Ukrop: Provides essential tools for artillery operations, including map functionality, meteorological data, topogeodetic calculations, and a ballistic calculator.

Security and future plans:

Sherstyuk assures that the apps and user data are protected from Russian interference, with markers stored in iCloud, which has no known data leaks.

He is currently working on updates, including critical situation sharing, track recording for route saving, and offline map access. However, he notes the lack of government support in his endeavors.

Aerorozvidka: From Volunteers to Military Tech Innovators

Since 2014, the non-governmental organization Aerorozvidka has been dedicated to supporting Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces. In 2015, its members mobilized within the Armed Forces and began developing their flagship project, the Delta situational awareness system.

“Delta was the first task the organization took on”, explains Artem Martynenko, Delta’s architect and deputy head of the Ministry of Defense’s Innovation Center. “Then came another task – deploying a camera system along the frontline, because back in 2014-2015, Ukrainians first encountered Russian electronic warfare. Task after task, we decided to transform into a military unit that solves technological challenges”.

Today, Aerorozvidka operates in four key areas:

• C2IS: Developing innovative products for situational awareness, combat management, and AI utilization.
• ISTAR: Implementing NATO-standard processes.
• Change Management: Systematizing robotic technology experience for military training.
• Robotic Systems: Introducing military robotic technologies.

The organization is also actively involved in various projects, including opening situational centers and developing UAV piloting and information hygiene courses (“Cyber Resilience”).

Key Projects:

• Delta System: Built to NATO standards and MIP specifications, Delta tracks troop locations and targets in real-time, collecting data from GPS trackers, radio intercepts, radars, and satellite imagery. It has evolved from a single service with a digital map into a comprehensive system of products, incorporating features like streaming, a mission planning calendar, and an integrated chat for information exchange. Since the full-scale invasion, chatbots like “eVorog” (for civilian reporting) and “STOP Russian War” (for sharing information about explosive devices and abandoned equipment) have been integrated into the system. An estimated 80-90% of units utilize Delta, though the depth of usage varies.
• Cyber Resilience Project: In response to Russian phishing attacks targeting Delta users, this project focuses on providing FIDO security keys for two-factor authentication and conducting cybersecurity training for military personnel.
• Situational Centers: These technological hubs coordinate reconnaissance assets and facilitate joint operations. They collect and analyze data from various sources, including stationary cameras, sensors, UAV streams, satellite imagery, intelligence officers, and partners, feeding it into the Delta system. Eight situational centers are currently operational across Ukraine, with access to data restricted based on location to ensure operational security.

Future Outlook:

Aerorozvidka continues to adapt to the evolving challenges of the war, exploring new technologies like drones with autonomous guidance. They recognize that Ukraine serves as a testing ground for innovation and believe that the Defense Tech market will play a crucial role in the country’s post-war economy.

Kvertus: Ukrainian Developer and Manufacturer of Anti-Drone EW and SIGINT Systems

Andrii Znaichenko, the founder of Kvertus, envisioned producing anti-drone equipment as early as 2014, driven by concerns about the military use of drones in his native Luhansk region. Recognizing the potential impact of drones in future conflicts, his team began developing their own anti-drone gun, and in 2017, he officially registered Kvertus.  

“Before the full-scale invasion, we understood that drones could significantly influence the battlefield situation, but we couldn’t imagine to what extent”, says Yaroslav Filimonov, CEO of Kvertus. “The demand for our anti-drone guns mostly came from border guards who were intercepting drones smuggling cigarettes”.

How it Works:

Over two years of full-scale war, Kvertus has grown from producing a few dozen guns per month to over 5,000 devices, comprising more than 30 products. These include anti-drone guns, backpacks for protecting groups on the move, portable devices to counter FPV drones and drones dropping ammunition, multi-band stationary systems for protecting critical infrastructure, electronic intelligence complexes, and more. This product line expansion reflects the company’s goal to adapt to the diverse needs and tasks of the military.

The evolution of drones and EW equipment is currently the most dynamic among all military technologies. As soon as EW becomes an obstacle for drones, UAV operators find solutions to overcome it. “It’s a constant race, constant improvement, constant increase in power and technological sophistication of the means”, notes Filimonov.

He adds that EW equipment is now needed everywhere: on vehicles, in trenches, positions, dugouts, artillery crews, and on individuals. “That’s why we intend to scale production to 10,000 devices per month”.  

“In addition to the initial need for EW, there’s a constant secondary need because these devices ‘live’ on the front line for an average of two weeks. They are destroyed by shelling, break down, get hit by shrapnel, their antennas fail. So the quantitative need for them is colossal. But it’s constantly changing qualitatively, given the changes in the drone market”, says Filimonov.

Future Plans:

Kvertus is currently considering increasing production abroad. This would allow them to attract more funds in the context of the ban on exporting Ukrainian military products and technologies.

“On the one hand, it’s understandable. We constantly talk about how we lack everything – and suddenly, we start exporting electronic warfare equipment ourselves. On the other hand, the state doesn’t order the quantities we are capable of producing”, says the CEO of Kvertus.

Kvertus products have already received NATO codification. “As Ukraine strives for NATO membership, we immediately undergo standardization and codification according to the Alliance’s standards so that our devices can be integrated into their structures. So the NATO code means compliance with the Alliance’s standards”, says the CEO of Kvertus.

Filimonov adds that other countries are interested in Kvertus’ developments due to the company’s high dynamics of innovation and their implementation into production.

“The production cycle in Europe lasts half a year, a year; what’s currently in their warehouses was manufactured back in 2020, so it doesn’t work in today’s conditions. This applies not only to EW equipment. Foreign demand for our products is a resource for better equipping our Defense Forces with EW equipment. To use it for the benefit of Ukraine, we just need not to be hindered, but instead be given access to foreign components”, Filimonov comments.

Ailand System: From Pest Control to Mine Detection

Ailand Systems, an IT service company with a decade of experience in computer vision, 3D graphics, and virtual/augmented reality, shifted its focus from pest control to mine detection after the full-scale invasion in Ukraine.

Before the war, Ailand Systems developed the AI-powered quadrocopter RT1 Debugger for the agricultural sector, using mechanical means to eliminate pests without pesticides. “All the technologies we previously worked with are directly applicable to navigation, route planning, and object detection. So robotics became a logical development for us”, says Dmytro Titov, CEO of Ailand Systems.

However, the war changed farmers’ priorities, and Ailand Systems adapted their drones for mine detection, creating the ST1 project.

How it works:

The ST1 drone features a user-friendly interface resembling Google Maps, where operators can set scanning coordinates, clearance depth, and vegetation height. The drone operates autonomously, providing real-time location and trajectory data.

It utilizes two types of sensors: an RGB camera for surface objects and a metal detector for objects up to 15 cm deep. ST1 is four times faster than manual demining and can detect all types of mines, including those with low metal content.

Future plans:

The company currently produces up to 20 drones per month for testing. They plan to launch mass production after obtaining state certification, which they have already applied for. Dmytro Titov hopes to realize this plan as early as this fall.

“Private companies are ready to work even without a certificate, but we don’t encourage them to do so because we are interested in undergoing state verification by an independent tester. If a kamikaze drone hits the target – that’s good, if it doesn’t – it’s okay, no luck. But if our drone doesn’t find a mine and someone gets blown up on it – that’s a completely different level of responsibility”, says the CEO of Ailand Systems.

The Postup Foundation: Revolutionizing Mine Detection and Clearance

The Postup Foundation was established in 2022 by Ukrainians residing in Poland and Polish citizens in response to Russia’s full-scale aggression. Initially, they focused on delivering aid from EU countries, ranging from radios to body armor.

“Over time, we saw a growing need in the area of demining, so in the summer of 2022, we decided to shift our focus to this area. We conducted research, talked to sappers, and found that the state was using technologies and procedures that were created many years ago”, says Vlad Kozak, founder and manager of the MinesEye project.

How it works:

According to Kozak, a mechanical demining machine can clear an average of 0.5 hectares per day, costing over 500,000 euros. Moreover, robotic systems can be damaged by anti-tank mines, and repairs are expensive. Mechanical demining also renders the soil unusable due to contamination with debris and chemicals.

In response, the foundation launched the MinesEye project for contactless detection of mines and explosive objects. The team developed a drone based on Pixhawk (an open-source flight controller project) with a German magnetometer.

“The results didn’t impress us – small metal objects were lost in the noise due to the drone’s background. So we used external equipment to increase the distance between the drone and the magnetometer, as well as a larger agricultural drone that could lift it. After the first tests, we found that the background dropped from 40 nT to 2 nT, which allowed us to detect TM-62 mines at a depth of 50 cm underground”, Kozak notes.

As of August 2024, the suspension system is integrated for operation on DJI Agras T10/T16/T20/T30 drones. It’s based on the concept of micro-shooting to search for small objects up to a few centimeters in size made of ferromagnetic metals, even in vegetation up to two meters high.

Vlad Kozak highlights additional, non-obvious problems faced by sappers: “From a technical point of view, the biggest problem is vegetation. The land quickly becomes overgrown with weeds, making it difficult even for mechanized systems to get through. Detection will be even more challenging”, he says.

Another problem is plastic mines, which Russia uses despite the ban – they are difficult to detect.

Future plans:

The team is currently testing their development for mine detection, aiming to launch it into mass production and use.

After that, they will seek solutions for unmanned disposal of explosive objects.

“Currently, there are two methods for neutralizing mines – a sapper with a metal detector or a mechanical demining machine, after which a sapper still goes there and checks if everything has been cleared. We want to robotize this process as well”, says Vlad Kozak.

DevDroid: Remote-Controlled Weaponry for Enhanced Battlefield Safety

Ukrainian arms company DevDroid is on a mission to “implement advanced technologies in the defense sector”. They specialize in developing robotic remote-control systems and intelligent AI algorithms for ground and aerial target recognition. They have already created and supplied the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the TGP and Wolly combat modules for remote firing from a safe distance of up to 1000 meters.

The idea originated from discussions with the military and market analysis after the full-scale invasion began in late 2022.

“We understood who among the developers was working on what, what problems existed, and what solutions were being sought. Accordingly, we saw a problem with trench warfare – in this phase of hostilities, we were losing the most soldiers, as the Russians were developing their weapons, particularly FPV drones”, co-founder Oleh Prots told AIN.UA.

The company started looking for a solution for machine gunners that would allow them to fire effectively without risking their lives. “That’s how the idea of making a remotely controlled turret was born”, says Oleh Prots.

How it works:

The combat turret can operate in two modes: remotely via Starlink (allowing control even from an office in Kyiv) or via a cable connection (with the operator within 1000 meters). The machine gunner places the turret in a firing position outside the trench. The operator can fire remotely using a tablet and gamepad.

The founder says their turret differs from alternative developments in that the combat module weighs 30 to 45 kilograms with a loaded machine gun, making it quite light and mobile. Also, its modular design allows for the purchase of only the turret itself as part of the complex in case of loss, while the control module remains with the operator, making the turret expendable. The person remains at a safe distance from it.

Artificial intelligence is also integrated into the development – the system itself identifies the target, signals about it, and tracks it; the machine gunner only needs to confirm the target and press the button.

“We have enough capacity to produce from 50 to 250 such units per month. It all depends on funding. Currently, we have two contracts with the state. Accordingly, we can develop and increase production – there is room for scaling”, notes the co-founder of DevDroid.

Currently, the company, according to Oleh Prots, is fulfilling requests within Ukraine but sees interest from a foreign audience – mainly because all developments are tested in real-time directly on the battlefield. However, DevDroid is not yet planning to enter the international market.

“We even already have a case where one turret was destroyed – and we are happy about that because we were able to save one life. The product was damaged, not the soldier – so the development works”, Oleh Prots shares.

He is confident that the projects of the Ukrainian Defense Tech market can be adapted for civilian needs after the war or enter the international military weapons market.

What’s next:

The company is currently making changes to allow for a larger caliber to be mounted on the module (the turret currently works with a PKT machine gun). There are plans to work with the MK-19 grenade launcher, and work with the Browning machine gun is already being tested.

In addition to turrets, in the fall of 2024, the company plans to release a series of ground robotic complexes called Droid – turrets mounted on tracked and wheeled platforms with 7.62 and 12.7 NATO standard calibers, which will work with the Starlink terminal: the operator can arrive at the position, work, and leave it.

Resq Pods: Life-Saving Capsules for Protection Against Missile Strikes

Deep Tech company Resq Pods, with the motto “Life is the main value”, develops and manufactures safety solutions for individual protection in emergencies, particularly during missile strikes. Founded in 2023, the startup, co-founded by entrepreneur Kyrylo Meshkovskyi, unveiled its life-saving capsule for individual protection at the Disasters Expo Europe in Frankfurt in 2024.

How it works:

The rescue capsule, or “pod”, is a double-walled metal structure filled with a special polymer. It can withstand the collapse of a multi-story building, allowing a person to safely await rescue inside.

“The first step is to develop a capsule for one person. It’s a lightweight but durable object that can be placed anywhere. This stage is a B2B solution. Our clients today are not individuals, but businesses and the state. For example, the product can be placed at an enterprise for a person who, due to the specifics of their work, cannot leave their post”, explains Kyrylo Meshkovskyi.

The current capsule, measuring 75×75 cm, with a height of 220 cm and a weight of 400 kg, is designed considering the architectural features of buildings and is suitable for placement inside residential and non-residential premises. The team of 16 specialists can manufacture one such capsule in 5 days.

The capsule is equipped with features to address human physiological needs:

1. Ventilation system: Ventilation holes and two filters provide air exchange and purify the air from smoke and dust.
2. Automated system: Analyzes carbon dioxide and smoke levels, automatically activating the ventilation system in critical situations (developed by Ajax upon request).
3. GPS beepers: Signal the capsule’s location to rescuers. “We are already thinking about a program that we can offer to the State Emergency Service to quickly find people in capsules under the rubble”, adds Kyrylo Meshkovskyi.
4. Radios: For communication with rescue services and search teams.
5. Supplies: Food, water, and a bio-toilet to sustain a person’s life.

Future plans:

Each capsule variation undergoes testing, modernization, and necessary trials. The fourth iteration has withstood falls from the second floor, explosions totaling 40 kg of TNT equivalent, and fire and high-temperature tests.

The project has received government support, with the team invited to participate in developing legislation and standardizing shelters. Resq Pods is in talks with the State Emergency Service and the Ministry for Strategic Industries to explore the use of their development.

In the near future, Resq Pods plans to launch mass production of capsules, develop family-type capsules with inclusive approaches, create separate security solutions for data centers, and produce school desks adapted to protect children in schools.

“It will be a regular desk, but its legs and inner walls will be made of a special lightweight but durable material that we are currently testing – so that such a desk can withstand a heavy load”, says Kyrylo Meshkovskyi.

There are no discussions yet about mass sales for private apartments, as the condition of each building needs to be assessed to ensure it can withstand the capsule.

At the same time, the team aims to expand the project’s boundaries and enter the foreign market. According to the entrepreneur, the company is already in talks with Turkey, the USA, and the Baltic countries.

Armiya+: Streamlining Military Bureaucracy

In August 2024, the Ministry of Defense launched the “Armiya+” mobile app, a service for military personnel providing access to documents and services, including standardized report templates that can be signed and submitted online.

“The Ministry of Defense is creating an app for the military. I often hear complaints from soldiers about excessive paperwork – filling out paper journals, endless reports. Our solution is to digitize everything as much as possible”, said Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

The app is already available on Google Play and the App Store. Authorization is possible through BankID, and the necessary information is verified by the “Oberig” registry.

How it works:

Currently, the app offers the following features:

• Army ID: An electronic military profile on a smartphone that confirms the status of a military person.
• Electronic reports: The ability to submit reports from anywhere and track their status. All you need is an internet connection and a few minutes to fill them out.
• Surveys: An opportunity to express your opinion on military development issues.
• Knowledge base: Training courses and programs related to the military sphere.

“During one of our brainstorms, it became clear that the main thing revolving around a soldier’s life is the report. Anything – a task, leave, receiving assistance, etc. – requires a report, and it was always written on paper. At the same time, the most common question from the military remains ‘how to write this report?’ We live in the 21st century, it’s been possible to template this and create a simple form where you just need to fill in a few fields. So we realized that the first function should be an electronic report”, says Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization, Kateryna Chernogorenko.

Moreover, a paper report has no time limit, so a commander can take a long time to respond to it. A digital report allows you to control the status of the report – the commander must either confirm it or explain the reason for refusal within three days.

Future plans:

In the next version of the app, developers plan to add a soldier’s medical card, salary information, and a countdown to leave days.

“In the future, we plan to create a full-fledged ecosystem of services around the military”, says Kateryna Chernogorenko.

yePPO: An App Empowering Everyone to Save Lives

“yePPO” is a mobile application available on iOS and Android that allows users to report sightings of enemy missiles to the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces.

Developed initially as a volunteer initiative and now maintained by the Technar Design Bureau within the “Odesa Defense 2.0” public organization, the project aims to provide the Air Defense Forces with more sources of information about missile trajectories.

How it works:

The idea was born as a response to a problem: the Air Defense system detects aerial targets using a network of radars that should cover the entire country, but cruise missiles fly at low altitudes. While a target at 400 meters can be detected from a distance of 100 km, the detection range for a “Kalibr” missile is significantly reduced. This creates a need to increase the number of radars.

“We thought: what can replace a radar? The answer is simple: eyes and ears. A cruise missile flies low and loud. Anyone can see, hear, and sometimes even photograph it in flight. And if ten people who saw a missile fly overhead quickly transmit this information to the Air Defense headquarters, the anti-aircraft gunners will know where it is now. And if there are not ten such people, but a hundred or a thousand, the targeting will become much more accurate,” said Hennadii Suldin, one of the app’s developers.

Initially, the team launched “yePPO Sposterihach” (“there is Air Defense Observer”). How it worked: if a missile or any other aerial target flew over a person, they had to open the app, point their phone in the direction of the missile’s flight, and press a button. The program would then automatically collect the data and plot it on a map, and this information would be automatically received by the Air Defense command post.

Currently, the app has over 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Market.

Future plans:

This is not the team’s only development. Odesa volunteers have also developed the “Sova” project for nighttime driving of trucks without lights or even dimensions, mounts for TVs on portable anti-aircraft missile systems, “Poloz” devices that illuminate drones at night, the “Valli” electro-optical sight for the “Strela-10” anti-aircraft missile system, and are implementing VR training for Air Defense.

ADVIN Ukraine: VR Therapy for Military Rehabilitation

ADVIN, a leader in the augmented and virtual reality market, has implemented over 250 AR/VR/3D projects for Ukrainian and international brands in its seven years of operation. The company focuses on three main areas: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Production (creating 2D/3D content, 360-degree virtual worlds, 2D animation, infographics, motion videos, and doodle animation).

With the onset of the full-scale invasion, ADVIN launched an impact project for military rehabilitation. In the spring of 2022, the team began developing the VRNOW VR simulator for patients with movement limitations and pain syndromes resulting from amputations.

“We involved rehabilitation medicine specialists as consultants for the development of the simulator, as the team itself consists only of technical specialists. And so, in the spring of 2022, we started developing software for rehabilitation and combating phantom pain”, says CMO of VRNOW, Valerii Soroka.

By the end of 2023, the company received a medical certificate of conformity from the Ministry of Health, allowing medical institutions to officially use the simulator.

How it works:

The VRNOW simulator is an integrated virtual reality system that includes hardware and certified software.

“Our simulator is not just virtual reality glasses, it’s a complex of sensors and trackers that are installed on the patient’s body, with the help of which a three-dimensional virtual space is built. In fact, we recreate the human skeleton, transferring it from the physical world to the virtual one”, says Valerii Soroka.

The software part consists of two blocks. The first is the doctor’s office, where they can keep records of their patients, track their completed exercises, and achieved results. In this same office, the execution of exercises for each muscle group is activated. The doctor sees everything on their screen that the patient observes in the virtual environment.

The second block is the virtual environment itself, written using Unity and Unreal Engine technologies.

The team uses Valve Index virtual reality glasses, eight HTC trackers per patient, and computers with powerful graphics cards, at least a GeForce RTX 4060. Advin equips the rehabilitation room “turnkey” and trains doctors. Among the requirements is that the room should be at least 20 square meters, contain a computer desk, and have enough space for the patient to move around.

According to Valerii, when a person puts on the glasses, they find themselves in specially designed environments, created with the help of psychologists and PRM specialists, where they see themselves – an avatar they can identify with.

“It’s important to understand that we provide the person with a picture realistic enough that it’s not perceived as a game. That is, the person from the office simply enters another location where they see their limbs, which they interact with in virtual reality”, comments the product director of the project.

Valerii highlights two main components of the project. The first is the occupational therapy part. For example, a person finds themselves in a kitchen (currently, the team has developed four environments: a kitchen, an exercise room, a training room, and a gym). Under the guidance of a doctor, they have to perform cognitive tasks – cook something for themselves or arrange products.

The second part is the Virtual Limb Mode. This is the ability to actually “grow” a limb – the arm/leg becomes functionally active, and the patient can perform exercises.

“When a person is in virtual reality, they have their avatar in the same proportions as in real life. We place sensors at the end of the amputated arm. The patient puts on the glasses and sees the end point of the limb, which they need to take with their healthy hand and extend it to the distance where they feel the arm. That is, in fact, the person ‘grows’ it back. Then they reproduce every action of the healthy hand, for example, moving their fingers – this is the same method of mirror therapy (the patient performs movements with the healthy limb and looks at its reflection in the mirror – creating the illusion that the affected limb is moving like a healthy one) to overcome phantom pain”, explains Valerii.

After that, the person performs basic exercises – throwing a ball or picking up an object. “That is, the person is no longer focused on the fact that there is no hand, but on the need to perform the exercise and get points for it – so the focus shifts to achieving the result”, explains Valerii.

The sensors placed on the person’s body allow the doctor to see if the patient is performing the exercise correctly. If patients perform the exercise incorrectly, thanks to the gamified process, they will not receive such a high score at the end of the session.

Future plans:

Currently, the company cooperates with private and state clinics on a commercial basis and also plans to export the development to the EU.

There are plans to add new environments: a supermarket, a river where you can swim, and a garden. Separately, the team will expand the analytical information collected from motion sensors to better analyze the success of the rehabilitation process.

Baza: Mental Health Self-Help in Your Pocket

“Baza” is a psychological assistance and mental health support app designed for veterans.

It all started in 2015 with the creation of the public organization “Vilnyi Vybir” (Free Choice). Until 2019, the team mainly provided consultations to veterans, military personnel, their families, and families of the deceased and missing.

“But in 2019, we saw research showing that veterans are reluctant to seek psychological support, yet 96% of military personnel believe that their comrades need help. This discrepancy indicates that people don’t want to talk about their problems, but they recognize them”, says Alina Viatkina, a veteran and project manager.

Being a veteran herself, Alina understands why this happens. So the team started looking for ways to help people at the stage when they don’t want to communicate. Thus, in 2023, the “Baza” app was launched, developed with the support of the IREX Veteran Reintegration Program.

How it works:

“Baza” positions itself not only as a self-help app but also as a comprehensive tool with exercises based on cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques and other evidence-based methods.

These include:

1. Grounding and relaxation techniques: Exercises to regain self-control, connection with reality, and calmness.
2. Mood tracker: Tracks mood and thoughts, functioning as a diary. The tool identifies patterns and trends in moods and their impact on well-being.
3. Meditations: For relaxation and mental state stabilization.
4. Tools for working with war experiences: Such as Trigger Discrimination and the Circle of Responsibility.

The app also has additional features:

• Crisis button: A quick response function to regulate the state when “overwhelmed”.
• Thought recording: To ease the emotional state, express feelings, and analyze thoughts and beliefs.
• Individual plan: Users can save favorite exercises and create their own daily self-help plan with the set of tools that suit them best.

The founders note that the app can also be useful for civilians, as it contains educational materials about mental health, anxiety, the consequences of mild traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, sleep problems, depression, and PTSD.

Furthermore, the app provides contacts for veterans and the opportunity to ask questions to qualified psychotherapists.

“Our psychologists receive messages through the app’s admin panel and process the questions. These are specialists from the ‘Vilnyi Vybir’ public organization. Currently, there are 40 therapists who have specialized education and use evidence-based psychotherapy methods. The organization also has its own quality control: we check our specialists, and only they are allowed to answer in the app, no one else can be involved”, says Alina Viatkina.

According to her, “Baza” has been downloaded by about 35,000 people in total on both iOS and Android platforms. However, it’s impossible to say the exact number of veterans and military personnel, as the app allows for anonymous registration.

The developers emphasize that the “Baza” app does not replace professional psychotherapy but only offers to understand one’s state and learn to provide primary support to oneself.

Future plans:

Despite the development of various IT solutions, Alina Viatkina adds that military personnel and veterans lack a veteran policy and systematic coordination within the field.

“When a person is discharged from service, they don’t have a roadmap and understanding of where and to whom to turn. We, as public organizations, know among ourselves who deals with which requests, so we can direct the military. But it’s the task of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs to build a system”, notes the project manager.

Esper Bionics: The Bionic Limb Featured on TIME’s 200 Best Inventions List

Founded by Ukrainians, Esper Bionics produces technologically advanced bionic limbs. The company’s innovative robotic hand even graced the cover of TIME magazine as one of the 200 Best Inventions of 2022.  

How it works:

The artificial limb produced by Esper Bionics consists of a stump socket and a prosthesis. The stump socket attaches to the residual limb, and myosensors within it help receive signals from the brain and transmit them to the prosthesis, enabling the user to move the limb.  

In essence, the stump socket acts as an intermediary between the artificial and biological parts of the arm. It’s custom-made for each patient in specialized clinics, where it’s also fitted. According to Bohdan Diorditsa, Head of Strategic Relations at Esper Bionics, even the most advanced 3D scanners and expensive 3D printers can’t create sockets better than those made by prosthetists.  

Metal parts, like phalanges, are manufactured on a three-axis CNC milling machine with numerical control, which is also programmed in-house. Most parts are made from aircraft-grade aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel.

The company manufactures most parts, such as the lead screw nut bracket for the platform, themselves; some are ordered from abroad. For example, the motors for the prosthesis come from Sweden.

A dedicated Esper Bionics app allows users to change the control scheme or adjust the sensitivity of the myosensors. If a person’s residual limb increases in volume in the morning, the sensitivity can be reduced. Conversely, if it decreases in size in the evening and the skin doesn’t fit perfectly against the myosensor, the sensitivity can be increased for better signal performance.

Myosensors are sensors that read the body’s voltage, create biopotential, and transmit signals to the control device. They are part of the stump socket and are placed where the most muscle activity is detected in the residual limb. However, the signal from muscle contraction is weak. Therefore, the myosensors and software in the hand use special filters to amplify the signal and filter out “noise” generated by other electronic devices. Two myosensors are enough to control the hand.

The app also allows users to customize grips – gestures they can make with their fingers. For example, the “rock on” sign at a concert, extending the index finger to scroll through a news feed on a smartphone (tap grip), or shaping the hand to comfortably hold a pen (pen grip). The fingers form a bottle grip when holding round objects.

“In cases of traumatic, not planned amputation, the muscles are often damaged, and the residual limb is not perfectly shaped. Therefore, users need to relearn how to tense different muscles. So for people who are just starting to master the robotic hand, we recommend starting with the simplest control scheme so they can learn to tense two muscle groups in isolation”, says Bohdan Diorditsa.

If a person doesn’t plan to use certain gestures, they can temporarily disable grips in the app. Then the fingers won’t be able to bend into that combination. If needed, the grip can be reactivated at any time. Currently, there are 18 combinations available in the app.

The prosthesis’ finger phalanges can withstand a weight of up to 12 kg. The hand itself can withstand up to 30 kg – enough for push-ups, for example.

Regarding hand size, it’s more or less universal: there’s a large and a small size. The latter is suitable for women and men of small stature, as well as teenagers.

Future plans:

The company currently produces about 15 robotic hands per month but plans to increase production due to high demand. They are also considering developing a prosthetic leg.  

Another goal is to work on an alternative control system that would allow for faster and more effortless signal transmission.

“A person transmits a signal through sensors to the hand. The prosthesis has to ‘understand’ them and assume a certain position. Then the artificial limb presses on the interface created for a biological hand. There are many intermediaries in this algorithm, but this is how the prosthesis works. We plan to develop an alternative control system that involves a conditional keyboard of myosensors and is designed for a person with an amputation”, says Dmytro Hanush, Head of Marketing.

Tippy Talk & Ya Kazhu: Apps Fostering a New Communication Culture

The core mission of the NGO “Hovory!” (Speak!) is to enable social inclusion for everyone, regardless of their circumstances. They achieve this by uniting IT specialists, civil society, doctors, artists, educators, and the media to develop and implement digital tools for inclusivity.

How it works:

• Tippy Talk:

Tippy Talk is a digital tool for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), enabling nonverbal individuals with communication disorders to express themselves using images. The first version of the app was developed in 2021 for children with autism, commissioned by an American client.

“When our team completed the first iteration of the product, everyone was impressed because no one had experience working with a social theme before. After that, we were thinking about how we could reward ourselves, but the best way to celebrate is to make the product available to Ukrainians as well”, says Yurii Popovych, co-founder of “Hovory!” and a military serviceman.

Thus, the app became available not only in English but also in Ukrainian. The project was paused at the beginning of the full-scale invasion but was later revived, recognizing its increased relevance. Among people with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, and speech delays are refugees who can use the English version of the app abroad, as well as military personnel and civilians remaining in Ukraine who may have suffered traumatic brain injuries, strokes, or aphasia.

Tippy Talk can be used as a speech generator, where the user constructs a phrase that the app voices, and as a messenger for communicating with parents, relatives, teachers, and friends.

• Ya Kazhu (I Speak):

The “Ya Kazhu” app is an organic continuation of Tippy Talk. Initially, it was built around one person – six-year-old Daryna, who has speech muscle impairments. The girl used Tippy Talk to communicate with her family, but it wasn’t enough for school.

“Tippy Talk performs the function of communication, but not fast communication. During a brainstorm on what we could do, we remembered how Google Translate works – you write text, and the program, in addition to translating it, voices it. We built the app based on this principle, but without the translation functionality”, says Yurii Popovych.

Natalia Tsap, coordinator of the Tippy Talk Military project, notes the difference between the apps: Tippy Talk is communication through pictures, and it also has a messenger option that allows sending cards to other users, which are displayed for them in text or voice form. “Ya Kazhu” is “fast communication”, communication through text and voicing.

“There are three levels of the patient’s condition – mild, moderate, and severe. Most often, Tippy Talk is used in severe conditions when people cannot type but can identify some pictures. When it comes to ‘Ya Kazhu’, it is used by people who can identify text”, says Natalia Tsap.

420 specialized professionals, including speech therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, participated in the piloting and implementation of the “Ya Kazhu” app. The app has no restrictions on the number of characters used or sentences saved – you can say one phrase or voice several paragraphs. In addition, the program allows you to save and sort phrases into thematic folders. Also, favorite or frequently used phrases can be marked with stars – so they get into a separate “Favorites” folder for quick communication.

Future plans:

Currently, 79 military personnel use Tippy Talk in one way or another, and according to Natalia Tsap, this number is constantly increasing. As for the “Ya Kazhu” app, it has 278 downloads on the Play Market and 211 on iOS.

“In fact, with the help of such programs, dignity is returned to a person when they become a subject to whom people speak, not an object about whom people speak. A person can independently express their opinion or ask for something”, says Yurii Popovych.

In future releases of “Ya Kazhu”, Yurii Popovych says the team plans to upload template phrases into the program so that people don’t have to create everything from scratch on their phones but can create folders on their computers.