Despite NATO allies withholding permission for Ukraine to use Western-supplied munitions for attacks inside Russia, Western technology and finance are playing a pivotal role in enabling Ukraine to carry out hundreds of long-range strikes deep within Russian territory.
These strikes have become more frequent over the past few months, targeting key Russian military assets, including air force bases, oil depots, and command centers.
One of the driving forces behind these strikes is Terminal Autonomy, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer co-founded by Francisco Serra-Martins, a former Australian Army Royal Engineer.
The company has rapidly scaled up production, now churning out over a hundred AQ400 Scythe long-range drones and hundreds of shorter-range AQ100 Bayonet drones each month. These drones, assembled in former furniture factories in Ukraine, are made of wood and can be built in a matter of hours, offering a cost-effective solution to Ukraine’s military needs.
“Our drones are basically flying furniture,” says Serra-Martins, noting that they are assembled in a manner similar to IKEA products.
This low-cost production is proving to be a game-changer for Ukraine, especially when compared to the exorbitant cost of Russian air defense missiles, which can exceed $1 million each.
The drones are designed to overwhelm Russian defenses by flying in large numbers, with the goal of exhausting and bypassing their air defense systems.
Supporting this effort is Palantir, a U.S. data analysis company that has provided Ukraine with sophisticated software to plan and execute these long-range strikes.
British engineers from Palantir, in collaboration with Ukrainian counterparts, have developed a program that maps out the best routes for drones to avoid Russian air defenses, using data from commercial satellites and signals intelligence. Although Palantir is not directly involved in the missions, the company has trained over 1,000 Ukrainians on how to use this software effectively.
Louis Mosley of Palantir explains that the software is crucial for visualizing and understanding the battle space, enabling Ukraine to outmaneuver Russia’s electronic warfare and air defense systems.
This strategic advantage has allowed Ukrainian drones to penetrate deep into Russian territory, with some being shot down over Moscow and others successfully damaging Russian airbases, forcing Russia to relocate its aircraft and reduce the frequency of its attacks.
Despite these successes, Ukraine continues to push for Western-made long-range weapons, arguing that they are essential for bringing the war to Russia’s doorstep and ultimately winning the conflict.
However, concerns in Washington and Berlin about escalating the war have led to a reluctance to provide such weapons.
Nevertheless, Ukrainian companies remain determined to innovate and expand their capabilities.
One company is reportedly developing a new cruise missile that is at least 10 times cheaper than the British-made Storm Shadow missile. Serra-Martins believes that the West is still unprepared for high-intensity warfare, producing far fewer long-range weapons at a much higher cost than Ukraine’s homegrown solutions.
As Ukraine plans to intensify its attacks on Russia, Serra-Martins hints at even more dramatic developments to come. “What you’re seeing now is like nothing compared to what you’ll see by the end of the year,” he says, suggesting that Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities are only set to grow stronger.
This ongoing conflict has underscored the critical role that Western technology and finance play in Ukraine’s war efforts, even as official channels remain cautious about deeper involvement.
With both sides continuing to innovate and adapt, the war shows no signs of abating, and the balance of power on the battlefield may yet shift in unexpected ways.
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