Ukraine Marks 35th Independence Day With Drone Parade as War Recasts Its Military
Updated
Updated · Euronews · Aug 24
Ukraine Marks 35th Independence Day With Drone Parade as War Recasts Its Military
3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Aug 24
Summary
Kyiv replaced its traditional Independence Day military parade with robots, naval drones and UAVs, putting unmanned systems at the center of its 35th anniversary display.
Dozens of ground robots rolled down Khreshchatyk, while Magura and Sea Baby naval drones appeared on the Dnipro and reconnaissance, strike and interceptor drones flew above the capital.
The display reflected how 4 1/2 years of Russia's full-scale invasion have pushed Ukraine to rely on cheaper, lower-risk systems to offset shortages in troops, artillery ammunition and naval power.
Ukraine formalized that shift in 2024 by creating the Unmanned Systems Forces, the first standalone military branch built around drone warfare.
No conventional military parade has been held since 2022, when Khreshchatyk instead became known for exhibits of destroyed or captured Russian armor.