Drones equipped with autonomous functions are becoming more common on the battlefields of Ukraine and Russia. These drones can operate independently, reducing their reliance on communication links and making them harder to disable through jamming or other electronic warfare tactics. Both countries have been rapidly advancing their use of semi-autonomous and even fully autonomous drones in combat, and experts believe that within a few years, large-scale battles involving hundreds or even thousands of autonomous drones could become a reality. However, the pace of technological development may outstrip the legal and ethical frameworks currently in place to ensure human oversight of autonomous weapons. Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, both Russia and Ukraine have increasingly focused on producing and using drones. At first, Russia struggled to manufacture large numbers of one-way attack drones and sought help from Iran. Over time, Russia has developed its own drone production capabilities. Ukraine, which had a small drone industry before the war, has expanded its efforts by leveraging private defense firms and technological innovation to build a robust drone manufacturing sector. Both sides have added autonomous features to their existing drones and developed new models with advanced capabilities. These drones use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify targets, navigate, and guide themselves to their destinations. In November 2025, a Ukrainian drone used an AI-assisted system to strike a probable Russian tank after its communication link with the operator was disrupted. Although a human selected the target, the drone itself guided the final stages of the attack. Meanwhile, Russia reportedly deployed a fully autonomous drone in early 2025, with recovered models showing no external communication systems, suggesting they operate without direct human control. The onboard AI in these drones uses computer vision to analyze images from sensors, allowing them to recognize objects, track them, and select targets independently. In July 2025, Russia used an AI-enabled drone to strike a gas station in Zaporizhzhia, killing three civilians. While human operators selected the target area, the drone’s onboard software chose the final aim point. Russia is also integrating similar AI systems into its Geran series of drones, which are based on Iran’s Shaheed-136 drone. Meanwhile, Ukraine has developed modular AI systems that can be added to various drone models to enable autonomous targeting, with some modules guiding the drone in its final 500 meters of flight. Despite the ethical concerns, autonomous drones are already making an impact on the battlefield. Their independence from communication links allows them to operate even when jammed, enabling strikes deep into enemy territory. Autonomous navigation in the final flight phase also improves the ability to hit moving targets. However, the widespread deployment of fully autonomous drones could reduce the need for human operators, raising significant ethical and control issues. Both Russia and Ukraine have different approaches to human oversight, with Ukraine requiring human verification of targets in the final stages of an attack, while Russia emphasizes the ability to control or deactivate autonomous systems without necessarily requiring human involvement in every decision. The future of AI-driven drone warfare may bring even more complex challenges, such as swarms of drones that can coordinate and adapt autonomously, further complicating efforts to maintain human control.