Ukraine uses huge amount of drone video to train AI models – Reuters

The future of warfare is increasingly tied to artificial intelligence (AI), and Ukraine has one of the most powerful assets in this area: millions of hours of drone footage. This data can be used to train AI models to make operational decisions on the battlefield, writes Reuters.

Oleksandr Dmytriev, founder of the Ukrainian non-profit OCHI system, which analyzes video from more than 15,000 drone crews, said that his platform has already accumulated more than 2 million hours of combat footage.

“This is AI food: if you want to train AI, you give it 2 million hours, and it becomes something supernatural,” — said Dmitriev.

How data is used to train AI

The huge amount of data from OCHI allows artificial intelligence to be trained to:  

– detect and classify targets;

– determine optimal trajectories and angles for weapon use;  

– analyze the effectiveness of various weapons systems.

“This is experience that can be turned into mathematics,” — Dmitriev added.  

The system, developed in 2022, was originally designed to provide commanders with a real-time overview of combat operations. The team later realized that this video footage could be valuable for analysis and storage as a war archive.  

Every day, the system adds 5–6 terabytes of new video data, expanding the capabilities for training AI.  

Using AI in combat

Artificial intelligence plays an important role in combat operations. Both sides in the conflict are using AI to identify targets and quickly analyze data.  

Samuel Bendett, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said such data is invaluable for teaching machines to recognize objects and make the right decisions on the battlefield:  

“Humans can do this intuitively, but machines can't, and they need to be trained on what is and isn't a road, an obstacle, or an ambush,” he said.  

Ukraine also uses the “Vengeance” system, developed by the Ministry of Defense, which centralizes video from drones and surveillance cameras. The platform reportedly detects up to 12,000 Russian vehicles each week using AI tools.  

In addition, Ukraine is actively implementing AI technologies for automated control of drone swarms and demining of territories.  

Russia also uses AI on the battlefield, in particular in Lancet strike drones. These devices have proven their effectiveness against Ukrainian armored vehicles, demonstrating the capabilities of AI in highly accurate target engagement.