The Ukrainian military-industrial complex should focus on the production of drones in order to gain edge over the enemy.

This idea was emphasized by Andriy Zahorodniuk, Chairman of the Board, Center for Defense Strategies, Minister of Defense of Ukraine in 2019-20 during a special event of the Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk Foundation “Open Ukraine”.

“We are standing on the threshold of a drone war – in a year we will say that the war of drones has begun and now changes operational concepts of all forces – in the air, on the sea, and the ground forces. This process is already taking place, it’s just that the scope that will be greater than the current level,” he said.

“This is a real arms race in this domain, and whoever wins this race will gain enormous advantages at the front,” the expert added.

Mr. Zahorodniuk emphasized that currently it is necessary to concentrate on the fact that Ukraine should produce the mentioned military equipment and weapons itself. According to the expert, this will contribute to economic revival and development.

Mr.Zahorodniuk also criticized those who speak about a “failed” counteroffensive, or that Ukraine failed to live up to expectations in this process.

“I give rather harsh comments to Western media on a “baffled” counteroffensive – this is an absolute manipulation, and it is voiced by those who remain at very large distances from the frontline and have nothing to do with either planning operational moves or their implementation,” said the ex-Minister of Defense.

“The situation at the front is really tough and the war may take some time. This, of course, goes counter to the plans in some capital cities, wishing us to complete instantaneously some spectacular military operation and sit down at the negotiating table. We believe that the negotiating table is a utopia, because the leadership of the russian federation are war criminals and there is nothing to discuss with them. We have to win,” added Zahorodnyuk.

According to him, russia is currently redirecting its efforts to protract the war, so that to intimidate the West and make it turn to some concessions.

“The question is whether russia can endure a protracted war, because they also have a lot of problems. Naturally, comparing the resources of russia and Ukraine, it is obvious that russia has more. Therefore, the main objective of russia is to derail the Western support and supply of resources. This primarily means them hinting to the West that russia is ready for a war to last forever,” Andriy Zahorodniuk said.

The Kyiv Security Forum, established by the Arseniy Yatsenyuk’s “Open Ukraine” Foundation, is the main platform in this country for discussing issues of war and peace, national and global security.