As 2025 comes to an end, we are grateful that Ukraine is holding the front. This has been made possible not only by military assistance from partner countries, but above all by the efforts of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, as well as nationwide resistance and society’s readiness to confront the enemy.
In my final Arms Trends in Ukraine edition of the year, I want to stress the need for societies across different regions and continents to recognize and prepare for the realities of modern warfare. Even in countries not directly in armed conflict, everyday life can be disrupted at any moment by “mystery drones” or even “a stray missile”. When Russia, its allies, and other malicious actors feel empowered, the world becomes an increasingly dangerous place.
In this edition:
Technological Militarization of Society: How Ukraine Is Doing It;
Russia’s Recent Drone and Missile Attacks on Ukraine;
Drone Warfare: Weekly Developments (Shaheds with remote control; Russian UGVs);
U.S. military assistance is being replaced by support from Northern European countries;
10+ additional developments in Ukraine and Russia.
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Technological Militarization of Society: How Ukraine Is Doing It
The Ukrainian technological miracle is a successful nationwide project built on charity and volunteerism. In one of my final articles of 2025, I decided to highlight the role of civil society in Ukraine’s defence. These organizations prepare both military personnel and civilians for the realities of modern warfare. As Russia’s weapons increasingly reach communities far from the front lines, everyone must be ready to respond.
Victory Drones is the largest technology training project in Ukraine. Mariia Berlinska is the head of the Victory Drones, and co-founder of the Dignitas Foundation. In her column for Ukraiinska Pravda, Mariia shares that the foreign delegations come to her foundation with one main question: how can their countries and societies prepare for a potential Russian invasion in the coming years? Mariia explains this using Ukraine’s experience.
The most important factor was a clear understanding that technology would determine the course of the war and its final outcome. Mariia therefore set herself one goal: to form a competent team and, in the shortest possible time, train the maximum number of people to defend themselves using technology. Total technological militarization of society.
From the first days of the invasion, the Victory Drones team has implemented a strategy of technological militarization across multiple domains:
advocacy and development of unmanned robotic systems;
promotion of systemic changes in state regulatory policy;
creation and support of the largest technology community of military personnel, engineers, donors, and manufacturers;
attracting investment;
developing the miltech labor market;
large-scale training of specialists for the фронt;
rapid scaling of best practices based on in-depth internal analysis.
Education
In May 2022, the course “Application of Technologies in Wartime” was launched. This was the first online course in Ukraine—and possibly in the world—to provide comprehensive military-technological training.
The course featured lectures by the country’s leading experts, many with combat experience dating back to 2014, and covered topics ranging from radio communications and cybersecurity to drones, software, and Starlink systems.
By the end of 2025, more than 150,000 military personnel had registered for the course. It demonstrated that military technological education could be delivered online.
Now there are five core technology courses covering a wide range of topics—from building a drone (People’s FPV) and setting up technological production (Bootcamp), to understanding OSINT and cybersecurity. The courses are regularly updated.
Community Building
Unfortunately, neither the Ministry of Defence nor the General Staff has yet created a “single window” for everyone working on frontline technologies. Until that happens, this role has been assumed by volunteers.
In the first days of the invasion, the Victory Drones military-technology community began to take shape. Today, it consists of a network of highly specialized channels that connect technology manufacturers, military personnel, engineers, volunteers, government officials, donors, charitable organizations, and investment funds.
These channels range from sharing invaluable combat experience to informal marketplaces where drone pilots exchange drones, captured equipment, and components.
Practical Training
In March 2023, volunteer efforts under Victory Drones led to the launch of the first official FPV drone training program in Ukraine. Later, the Dignitas Foundation also initiated frontline training programs.
Over nearly three years, more than 7,000 specialists have been trained, including operators of reconnaissance fixed-wing drones, multirotor bombers, interceptors, as well as specialists in UAV maintenance, electronic warfare, and software.
Bootcamp
In April 2024, Victory Drones launched another free course —Bootcamp—designed for aspiring and future military technology manufacturers to help supply the front with essential capabilities.
The course was developed in cooperation with experienced UAV manufacturers and engineers, government representatives, and trainers. It consists of more than 15 lectures, with a total duration of over 33 hours.
Over the course’s lifetime, approximately 2,000 registrations were received from representatives of military units, volunteers, and engineering teams. As a result of completing the course, several dozen new production facilities were created or optimized. A dedicated community was also formed around the course, where manufacturers consult with and support one another.
“People’s FPV”: From Kitchens and Garages to Defence Industry
The goal of this initiative was to convey a simple idea: every person is capable of creating weapons with their own hands—literally producing “death for the enemy” in their own kitchen. This does not require expertise in microelectronics or even an engineering degree.
Under the guidance of Victory Drones volunteers and with support from the Vyriy team (Ukrainian FPV drone producer), the “People’s FPV” course was created. Early cohorts studied live online, with thousands attending lectures simultaneously. The course was later recorded and made freely available on the Prometheus educational platform.
By the end of 2025, approximately 59,000 people had registered for the engineering course on Prometheus, with more than 20,000 completing it in full.
The course can be completed in a few weeks—or even over several evenings.
In addition to lectures, participants were provided with:
a list of verified components with links to purchase them at the best prices (regularly updated and increasingly featuring Ukrainian-made parts);
a selection of tested modern tools;
configuration files and firmware with detailed instructions.
Drones assembled by participants are not delivered directly to combat units. They undergo thorough testing and trial flights conducted by military personnel and engineers.
Within this initiative, more than 4,000 drones assembled at home have been delivered to Ukrainian forces.
After completing training, graduates can choose among the following options:
purchasing components and sending completed drones to the military, becoming part of the rear supplying “ammunition”;
joining professional miltech production, where Victory Drones graduates are in high demand;
self-organizing with friends to create a “garage miltech” operation—either producing drones free of charge for the military or scaling up to commercial production.
3D Printing in Schools
“3D Printing in Schools” is an educational program in 3D modeling and printing for students in grades 8–9. The pilot phase of the project was completed at the end of November 2025.
As part of this phase, 16 IT and technology teachers completed training in 3D modeling, 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and the safe use of 3D printers, and are currently awaiting certification.
The course includes: 3D scanning (teaching students how to scan objects using a smartphone and create 3D models with the help of AI); 3D modeling (teaching students how to design required objects using Tinkercad and Blender 4.5); and 3D printing (teaching students how to print 3D objects using a Bambu Lab A1 mini printer).
It is important to note that this initiative is intended to familiarize children with 3D printing technologies for civilian use. Unlike programs in Russia, it does not involve children producing 3D-printed components for drones or other military equipment.
Over nearly four years of invasion, Victory Drones have brought more than a quarter of a million Ukrainians into the technological domain. The organization has demonstrated how a nationwide technological project can be built step by step without state funding, political influence, or oligarchic backing.
Russia’s Recent Drone and Missile Attacks on Ukraine
Russia launched over 500 drones against Ukraine, as well as 40 missiles, including Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, on the night of 26-27 December.
The prolonged Russian attack on Kyiv indicates that Russia has not only stockpiled Shahed drones but has also increased the size of its UAV personnel.