# We went back to Ukraine and were stunned at how much its weapons have evolved in just one year > Source: > Published: 2026-08-02 10:43:01+00:00 **Ukraine's new generation of robotic weapons** At Business Insider, we're a little obsessed with weapons and defense as part of our technology and innovation coverage. To get you the latest from the field, we sent two journalists, [Robert Leslie](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/robert-leslie?follow) and [Jake Epstein](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jake-epstein?follow), to Ukraine in May. Their coverage is [here](https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-ukraines-war-robot-revolution-2026-7), and more is coming. **Robert and Jake, what was the single biggest surprise from your trip?** JE: For me, [how much progress](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LZtv4FLP-IQ) Ukraine has made with robotics and drones compared with my previous visit in March 2025. The tech is far more sophisticated and is increasingly reliant on AI. RL: Hearing from military units about how fast they can develop new iterations of their ground, air, and sea drones was eye-popping. In just a few weeks, they can design and battle-test technology that would take peace-time armies months, even years. **How is this new tech directly supporting the human soldiers still risking their lives?** JE: The best example is [ground robots](https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-war-robots-are-surging-into-the-kill-zone-2026-6) replacing humans in dangerous front-line missions, including retrieving wounded soldiers and transporting them to safer locations for care. RL: We also saw giant bomber drones that are increasingly being deployed as heavy-lift platforms to deliver food, medicine, and water to the front. **What do you now see as the biggest questions about this war and the future of war?** JE: The [heavy drone saturation](https://www.businessinsider.com/nato-forces-ready-for-battlefield-like-ukraine-top-general-2026-7) on the battlefield has prevented either side from capturing any meaningful territory in years. What seems more impactful now are deep strikes: for Ukraine, mid- to long-range drone attacks on Russian logistics, supply routes, and energy infrastructure. RL: The use of AI in target identification and drone navigation is widespread, but in most cases, a human hand is still on the trigger. The big question is, how soon before AI completes the "kill"? *Check out our video** on Ukraine's latest weapons.*