Ukraine opens real battlefield data to train AI for unmanned systems

Ukraine is making real combat data from the ongoing war available to train artificial intelligence models for unmanned systems, a move that could accelerate the development of autonomous technologies on modern battlefields.

The initiative was announced by Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, in a Facebook post. The government has adopted a resolution establishing a new format of cooperation between the state, Ukrainian companies, and international partners. For the first time globally, foreign allies will be able to use real battlefield data to train AI models for drones and other unmanned combat systems, Defense Express writes.

"Ukraine is opening the possibility to train artificial intelligence models for unmanned systems using real battlefield data," Fedorov emphasised.

The primary goal is to increase the autonomy of drones and other combat platforms, enabling them to detect targets faster, analyse situations, and assist in decision-making directly on the battlefield. Fedorov noted that “the future of warfare will largely depend on autonomous systems,” adding that high-quality datasets are critical for training the neural networks that power them.

To support this effort, a dedicated AI platform has been created at the Ministry of Defence’s Centre for Innovation and Development of Defence Technologies. The platform allows partners to:

• Safely train AI models without direct access to sensitive databases.

• Work with large volumes of annotated photo and video materials.

• Use datasets that are continuously updated.

Ukraine’s dataset is unique, containing millions of annotated frames collected from tens of thousands of combat drone flights. These datasets are already being used to train neural networks capable of automatically detecting ground and aerial targets within the DELTA battlefield management system.

Foreign defence companies and allied nations have shown strong interest in such data. Large, diverse datasets are essential for training AI algorithms to recognise patterns, objects, and battlefield behavior of both personnel and equipment.

Ukraine views the collaboration as mutually beneficial. Partners gain access to real-world high-intensity combat data for AI training, while Ukraine benefits from the accelerated development of autonomous systems and new battlefield technologies.

Fedorov confirmed Ukraine’s readiness for broader cooperation: “Ukraine is ready to work with partners on joint analytics, AI model training, and the development of new technologies for unmanned systems.”

By Sabina Mammadli