Eastern Circles, Uncrewed, Defence Robotics UA Foundation are inviting you to a breakfast discussion on the evolution of robotic systems and CUAS on Ukrainian battlefield, and how this innovation can be applied in France.
Ukraine is no longer simply using drones. It is redesigning warfare around them.
In 2025 alone, Ukrainian forces conducted hundreds of thousands of drone-enabled strikes, while robotic ground systems (UGVs) rapidly moved from experimentation to frontline deployment at scale. Some Ukrainian units now use UGVs for logistics, casualty evacuation, mine clearing and direct combat support, reducing soldiers’ exposure to FPV kill zones.
Facing more than 60,000 Shahed attacks since 2022, Ukraine also developed a layered and cost-efficient frontline air defence model combining FPV interceptor drones, EW, mobile fire groups and legacy air defence systems.
Under constant operational pressure, Ukrainian units have shown that innovation cycles can evolve in weeks instead of years. Alongside high-end technological innovation, “grassroots innovation”, driven directly by operators, engineers and frontline units, is reshaping doctrine, procurement and combat itself.
On May 27, Ukrainian military and French Armed forces officers will discuss what today’s battlefield already tells us about tomorrow’s wars.
Date: May 27th, 2026
Time: 8:30 to 11:30
Place: Salle Cuirassiers 8 Place Saint-Augustin, 75008 Paris
Appropriate attire (smart casual or business casual) is required.
Program:
Registration: 8:30-9:00
Panels: 09:00-11:00
Refreshments and networking: 11:00-12:00,
Please note the panels will be recorded.
Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vbh8I-OUIobRbO8pDXS9Fx2PTejKk-cov38oO9fylIg/edit
*Access only with confirmation email by the organizers and ID
Our Ukrainian speakers:
Oleksiy Makhrynsky – Deputy Commander of the Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci Wolves” of the 59th Infantry Brigade.
Oleksandr Yabchanka – Commander of the UGV and Robotic Systems Service of the Separate Assault Battalion “Da Vinci Wolves” of the 59th Infantry Brigade, Armed forces of Ukraine and Co-founder of Defence Robotics UA Foundation.
Ivan Kutepov – Deputy Brigade Commander, 59th Infantry Brigade, Head of the air defense unit A1619.
The moderation will be ensured by François Jullien, Director of Uncrewed, and Anastasiya Shapochkina, Director of Eastern Circles.
PANEL 1 — NOW
How robotic and unmanned systems are transforming combat operations in real conditions:
- strike-capable UAVs and UGVs,
- FPV warfare,
- kill zones,
- digital battlefield coordination,
- and frontline adaptation at battlefield speed.
PANEL 2 — TOMORROW
How armed forces must adapt to massed unmanned threats:
- redefining the battlefield zones
- leveraging smart affordable mass
- creating a layered frontline air defence,
- integrating grassroots innovation in doctrine and procurement.
The event is organised by Eastern Circles, Uncrewed and Defence Robotics UA Foundation, with the communication support of Tvoye Misto.
