Russian missile hits US-linked drone manufacturer in Ukraine

A drone manufacturing facility in Kyiv destroyed by a Russian ballistic missile strike was owned by a United States corporation registered in Delaware, in what appears to be the first instance of Moscow targeting a US-owned company during the conflict, as per the latest Guardian report.

The company, Terminal Autonomy, produces precision “deep-strike” drones equipped with guidance systems designed to resist Russian electronic jamming, according to a person familiar with the firm’s operations.

The term “terminal autonomy” refers to the final phase of a kamikaze drone’s attack, in which artificial intelligence assumes control of the weapon after radio signals or mobile communications are disrupted by defensive countermeasures.

State registration records indicate that the company was incorporated in Delaware in 2023. According to its website, “We deploy AI-guided loitering munitions and precision munitions, which are already in active service against enemy assets on the frontline.”

Terminal Autonomy did not respond to a request for comment sent by email. Ukraine’s defence ministry also did not reply to an emailed inquiry.

Anthony Vinci, a former senior US intelligence officer and author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America, said: “The Russians don’t care who owns the manufacturing facility. It’s still a target. They don’t care if it’s American or someone else’s.”

Earlier in July, US President Donald Trump, who had previously taken a cautious stance on arming Ukraine, said Washington would license Kyiv to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles.

Vinci added: “I do think if Patriot missiles or any American system was manufactured in Ukraine, I think the Russians would target that manufacturing facility.”

The attack was first reported on Sunday, July 26, by the Russian state news agency Tass, citing the defence ministry as its source. While the report did not disclose that the facility was owned by a US company, it noted that “specialists from a Ukrainian-American company” had worked there. It also reported that the plant produced AQ-400 Scythe and AQ-100 Bayonet drones.

No casualties were reported in the strike, according to a source familiar with the company.

By Tamilla Hasanova