Russia adding AI to Molniya drones, Shahed integration next – video interview

“I'm sure this (the full automation of martyrs using AI – ed.) is only a matter of time,” Beskrestnov said.

“We've seen the Lancet with some systems and AI elements for a long time now. Then we saw the B2U drone, which you and I have talked about many times.”

“And now we see on all fronts that the Russians have begun using AI on regular Molniyas. We shoot down 30,000 of these Molniyas every month,” he added.

He noted that these drones have a range of 50-60 kilometres.

"These UAVs have no antennas, control channels, or satellite navigation. That means our electronic warfare systems can't do anything against these UAVs because they operate autonomously,” the defense expert clarified.

“They have AI based on a neural network, usually YOLOv5, which has a neural network installed. They can navigate using the image the camera sees.”

“They don't need satellite navigation or anything else. They understand the image, can plot a route based on it, and then fly to the designated point along the route. They find the target they need and can attack it,” Beskrestnov explained.

He added that enemy forces are using such drones to attack Zaporizhzhya and Dnipro Hydroelectric Station.

“I see that this solution is visually very similar to the B2U, which they've been trying to test for several years. The Russians tried to train a neural network, and I think they succeeded,” he emphasized.

“Now they'll apply and extrapolate this experience to Molniya drones. And we understand that this is a massive asset for them.”

“If they use it on all Molniyas, it will become a huge problem for us. And then they'll use it on Shaheds; I'm confident that this is the future,” he concluded.

Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov reported on June 8 that Ukrainian drones are already autonomously intercepting Shahed attack drones.

The minister stated that a drone operator can see targets moving in real time, select one, and give the command to engage. After that, the system independently guides the drone to the target, autonomously recognizes it and homes in on the Shahed.