Ukrainian Developer Reveals AI Autonomous Attack Drone 'Terminator' Was Combat-Tested Near Bakhmut Two Years Ago

Ukrainian drone developer Alexander Kokhanovskyy has publicly disclosed that a covert combat trial of a fully autonomous, AI-controlled attack drone was conducted approximately two years ago near the eastern front-line cities of Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar, according to a report by New Scientist.

Ten 'Terminator' Drones Participated in a Single Trial

Kokhanovskyy stated that the test was a one-time trial involving ten autonomous drones referred to as 'Terminators.' Throughout the engagement, no human intervention occurred at the terminal attack phase — the AI system independently carried out target identification and engagement. According to his account, the confirmed losses resulting from the test included several soldiers and one military truck.

Test Appears to Contradict Ukrainian Regulations

The disclosure has drawn significant attention because Ukrainian regulations explicitly prohibit fully autonomous engagement at the terminal strike phase. Current rules require human oversight and decision-making prior to executing an attack — a principle commonly referred to as 'Human-in-the-Loop' (HITL).

If the account is accurate, it would indicate that the trial was conducted outside the established regulatory framework, raising serious concerns under international humanitarian law and the broader ethics surrounding autonomous weapons systems.

Ukrainian Government Is Already Discussing Regulatory Revisions

New Scientist also noted that, as autonomous systems technology continues to advance, discussions are already underway within the Ukrainian government regarding whether to relax or revise the existing restrictions. This suggests that Ukraine, under the intense pressure of sustained high-intensity urban warfare, is reassessing the practical boundaries for deploying Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS).

The incident once again highlights the international community's concerns over regulatory gaps surrounding so-called 'killer robots.' To date, no legally binding international treaty specifically governs the use of fully autonomous lethal weapons.

Source: New Scientist

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