Zelenskyy, Scholz view Ukrainian drones, ‘swarm control systems’ in Kyiv

The exhibition showcased Ukrainian-made drones and those co-developed with German firms. One drone features AI-driven automatic targeting systems developed by German manufacturers. Another drone resulted from a localized German company that established a production and maintenance center in Ukraine.

Military analyst Yigal Levin noted that these drones are Ukrainian counterparts to Russia’s Shahed and Lancet models.

“The design should not surprise anyone—physics laws are universal. As I’ve often said, creating these drones isn’t difficult; the real challenge lies in their technology and mass production,” he wrote.

Company representatives briefed Zelenskyy and Scholz on the capabilities and operational specifics of the aerial and ground systems. The leaders also viewed examples of combat applications featuring computer vision, automatic targeting, and guidance systems.

Scholz’s unannounced visit to Kyiv on Dec. 2 marked his first in two and a half years. That day, he announced a €650 million military aid package for Ukraine. His previous visit was in June 2022, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and then-Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

On Nov. 29, Zelenskyy spoke with Scholz by phone, during which the German chancellor shared details of his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.