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BLUF:
As demand for engineers surges, Ukrainian universities are doing their part to help meet defense needs by partnering with defense companies, bringing industry experts into classrooms, and expanding cooperation with foreign universities/firms. But the demand for engineering talent is still far outpacing the number of students who choose these fields.
Russia’s ballistic missile strike on a defense exhibition in the Kyiv region last week killed 12 people and wounded about 100, leading to the postponement or cancellation of a slew of other defense conferences as organizers weigh the risks of holding such events out in the open.
But even with an ongoing investigation into the deadly strike, such events are vital for the defense sector, industry insiders say, since they allow weapons testing and connect manufacturers with potential buyers and military units.
Russian forces are now launching daily FPV attacks near-frontline cities like Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia thanks to the growing availability of fiber-optic-controlled drones. Individual fiber-optic reels can now reach 60km in length. The primary targets are gas stations, civilians, cars, and infrastructure. These attacks have prompted weapons manufacturers to adapt air defense and develop new countermeasures.
To protect its border with Belarus, Ukraine is using autonomous turrets and plans to deploy counter-drone lasers to respond more quickly to threats like drone attacks and reconnaissance missions.
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How universities are educating wartime engineers
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1. Ukraine’s defense industry deals with fallout from Russian attack on exhibition
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By: Oksana Zabolotna
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Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine №800 dated June 17, 2026
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On July 29, Liubov Halan and Serhii Boiev were appointed as deputy defense ministers. Boiev will focus on reinforcing international outreach, while Halan will be responsible for the growth and retention of human capital within the Defense Forces.
Olesia Mykhailenko took the position of Head of Legal at The Fourth Law, a Ukrainian developer of autonomous drone technology.
UNWAVE, a Ukrainian company that manufactures radio-electronic devices for UAV countermeasures, is looking to expand its Kyiv team with the following positions: FPV Pilot, RF Engineer, Design Engineer, Senior Embedded Software Engineer and Embedded Developer.
Farsight Vision, a Ukrainian-Estonian company that develops software and hardware for military intelligence, is hiring for several roles in management, engineering and administration, including remote positions.
TAF Industries, which develops and manufactures defense technologies, is seeking new employees in Kyiv. Open positions include UAV pilot, UAV assembler, and recruiter.
Swarmer, a Ukrainian company building AI-powered coordination software for unmanned systems, has multiple open positions for both tech and non-tech roles, including head of people operations, program manager, cybersecurity engineer or UAV pilot based in Kyiv, Lviv, Warsaw, or Austin, Texas, as well as remote.
Ukraine-based company Infozakhyst, which develops and implements cutting-edge technologies for radio intelligence, communications, and embedded systems, is seeking Kyiv-based employees for multiple roles, including engineering, management, and electrical installation.
AEROCENTER, a Kyiv-based company that manufactures FPV drones and ammunition, is looking for a UAV Pilot Engineer, an Aerodynamics Engineer, an Assistant Chief Accountant, and a Technical Writer.
Ukrainian School of Modern Technologies, LLC is a Ukrainian manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles and specialized equipment.
The company’s product portfolio includes copter-type unmanned aerial vehicles, fixed-wing UAVs, multifunctional ground platforms for logistics, evacuation, and special operations, related equipment and a communications ecosystem, as well as innovative UAV control systems and modules supporting communication via radio channels, LTE networks, and the Starlink satellite system.
“We are seeking cooperation in several areas: joint R&D projects — integrating the latest developments in artificial intelligence and computer vision for autonomous target detection and engagement,” said company founder Serhii Okhotnik. “Scaling up production — joint construction and launch of UAV manufacturing plants… Export potential — entering the markets of partner countries with technologies proven in real combat conditions.”
ROBONEERS is set to officially supply the Shablia K-2 turret to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, a company representative told The Arsenal. The Shablia K-2 consists of two Kalashnikov assault rifles (AK-74) installed in a twin-barreled turret for close-range infantry defense. The turret is equipped with a three-camera surveillance system and it operates via both a cable connection and the Starlink satellite channel. The rifle system can be used as a standalone unit or integrated into ground platforms.
Shablia K-2 on UGV. Photo by Roboneers.
Twist Robotics, a Ukrainian company that develops unmanned systems, is establishing a joint venture in Denmark with Danish-Ukrainian company Vidar Industries. The joint venture will initially manufacture the Saker Scout, Saker Hunter, and Saker Hetman, with an expected production volume of 12,000 units for the European market in the first year, Twist Robotics told The Arsenal.
The British government has announced it will provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture the new Stone Cloak electronic warfare system and share the intellectual property needed to modify it. The compact electronic warfare system, which is designed to be installed on drones, aims to thwart detection by enemy forces, according to the announcement.
Ukrainian developers released footage of the recently unveiled ZIRKA interceptor successfully used against a jet-powered Geran-4, proving its combat capabilities. Read more about ZIRKA's features in our previous newsletter.
The Ukrainian company UGV Robotics tested the shipboard version of the Hyzhak turret on board in a NATO member country, where it successfully shot down an aerial target and a simulated surface drone. Khyzhak, a versatile lightweight combat module that can be used both in a stationary configuration and on mobile platforms, was first unveiled in November 2024.
