The Russian military is integrating artificial intelligence components to plan complex air strike routes targeting Ukrainian cities and to automatically identify targets.

This was reported by Dengi.ua, citing a statement by Colonel Yuriy Cherevashchenko, Deputy Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

How the Enemy Uses Algorithms During Attacks

The enemy is testing the use of neural networks during massive, prolonged strikes that require high synchronization precision and a continuous wave of attacks on the air defense system.

According to the military command, the enemy’s use of these technologies exhibits the following characteristics:

  • wave planning: AI algorithms were used during prolonged attacks on Odesa, which continued non-stop with minimal intervals between drone group sorties;
  • routing: the occupiers calculate flight paths taking into account terrain and the probable locations of mobile fire groups;
  • automatic search: computer vision is integrated into guidance systems for autonomous target identification;
  • Ukrainian response: the Defense Forces are simultaneously implementing similar technologies, specifically guidance algorithms in domestic automated anti-aircraft turrets.

“There were attacks on Odesa that lasted a long time, coming in waves with very short pauses. In my opinion, without AI, this would have been extremely difficult,” noted Colonel Yuriy Cherevashchenko.

Why the Maritime Environment Complicates the Work of Air Defense Forces

Intercepting targets over the Black Sea presents a particular challenge for air defense forces due to geographical and meteorological constraints.

Key challenges and specific aspects of coastal defense:

  • limited engagement windows: over the sea, air defense systems are in most cases only capable of engaging targets on head-on courses, which narrows the engagement envelope;
  • weather factors: frequent storms, dense fog, and atmospheric pressure fluctuations significantly complicate timely optical and radar detection;
  • enemy maneuverability: open water allows the Russians to freely change their attack vectors and keep drones airborne in loitering mode;
  • port defense: to protect maritime infrastructure, the Ukrainian military uses aerial platforms — so-called “drone carriers” — that transport groups of interceptors directly to patrol areas.