# Fedorov proposes private robot army to replace human soldiers in Ukraine

Digest AI · Robotics & Physical AI · published 2026-09-26T19:10:20Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/fedorov-proposes-private-robot-army-to-replace-human-soldiers-in-ukrai

## Summary

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defense minister, announced plans to create a private-sector robot army at IT Arena 2026 in Lviv. He cited drones, which now account for over 95% of target engagements, as proof of the shift toward autonomous warfare. Ukraine hosts over 700 drone manufacturers, and AI-powered combat data from its conflicts has been sold to the UK as an export product, according to Fedorov’s claims.

Fedorov’s initiative, backed by a militaristic trailer and an ‘Army of Robots’ website, aims to fund private defense firms, develop new tech, and test systems with the military. His goal is ‘full-scale battlefield robotisation,’ though details on autonomous decision-making remain unclear. The move follows years of UN debates on autonomous weapons and reflects how Ukraine’s war has accelerated public and private interest in military robotics.

## Key points

- Fedorov claims drones now cover over 95% of target engagements in Ukraine’s conflicts
- Ukraine has over 700 drone manufacturers, with AI combat data sold to the UK
- His private robot army project lacks clear details on autonomous attack decisions

## Why it matters

Fedorov’s push signals a private-sector shift toward battlefield robotics, bypassing UN regulations and accelerating arms development. It could influence global debates on autonomous weapons and military innovation.

## Sources

1. [Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Fedorov pitches a private-sector robot army](https://the-decoder.com/former-ukrainian-defense-minister-fedorov-pitches-a-private-sector-robot-army) (The Decoder, 2026-09-26)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Fedorov proposes private robot army to replace human soldiers in Ukraine", 26 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/fedorov-proposes-private-robot-army-to-replace-human-soldiers-in-ukrai

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