David Petraeus Celebrates Ukrainian Drone Achievements at Kyiv Security Forum

During a recent discussion titled "The Generation of the Unbreakable: Reflections of General Petraeus - A View from Washington," organized by the Kyiv Security Forum, retired U.S. Army General and former CIA Director David Petraeus praised the remarkable achievements of Ukrainian drones. He emphasized that Ukraine has become a leading producer of drones worldwide, a development that plays a crucial role in modern military conflicts.

Petraeus shared his impressions from a visit to one of Ukraine's largest drone manufacturing plants, where he noted that three million drones were produced in 2023 alone. "This year, the plant I visited produced three million drones, out of the seven million that can be manufactured in Ukraine. This is more than anywhere else in the world. The United States struggles to produce four hundred thousand drones," said the former CIA director, underscoring the impressive production volumes in Ukraine.

He also remarked that despite the shifting global priorities due to the war in the Middle East, Ukraine's achievements in the drone sector are extraordinary and deserve continued support and respect from countries that uphold the values for which the Ukrainian people are fighting. This highlights the importance of technological progress and innovation in the military sphere, especially in the context of contemporary conflicts.

The Kyiv Security Forum, founded by the international fund "Open Ukraine" in 2007 at the initiative of Arseniy Yatsenyuk, has become a leading international discussion platform in Ukraine focusing on issues of war and peace. Each year, the forum brings together experts, politicians, and civil society representatives to discuss pressing security challenges. Additionally, a youth Kyiv Security Forum is held to foster the development of a new generation of Ukrainian leaders.

In February 2025, then Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that Ukraine had become the largest drone manufacturer in the world, emphasizing that 96% of the drones used in the country are either purchased or produced domestically. This indicates significant progress in the development of Ukraine's defense industry and its ability to meet its own needs for modern technologies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also highlighted the importance of drones in modern warfare, noting that over 80% of enemy targets on the battlefield are destroyed by drones, most of which are of Ukrainian production. This underscores not only the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones but also their role in strengthening the country's defense capabilities.

In addition to fixed-wing drones, Ukraine has developed heavy bombers such as the Vampire, naval drones that have inflicted serious losses on the Russian Black Sea Fleet, as well as interceptor drones designed to destroy Russian unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2025, Ukrainian drones carried out 819,737 confirmed strikes, accounting for 90% of all combat losses suffered by the Russian army. This demonstrates that Ukrainian drones have become a vital element in the strategy of conducting modern warfare.

Thus, Ukraine's achievements in drone production are not only impressive but also play a key role in ensuring the country's national security and defense capabilities amid contemporary challenges. Support for such initiatives from the international community is essential for the further development and strengthening of Ukraine on the global stage.