Ukraine Funds Defence Science and Drone Research

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has allocated UAH 3 billion for performance-based basic funding for scientists, plus another UAH 1 billion to establish defence research centres at leading universities. The money supports Ukrainian science’s role in the country’s security architecture, including work on drone and counter-drone systems.

Science and National Security

Kseniia Smyrnova, President of the Ukrainian Association of European Law and former Vice-Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, said Ukrainian scientists are helping build a developing security architecture. “Ukrainian science is an integral part of our national security architecture. It is a priority, and all our efforts are directed towards it,” she said.

Smyrnova said the work spans the humanities and natural sciences. Humanities researchers analyse geopolitical shifts, forecast developments and work to combat disinformation. Natural sciences researchers are developing new defence systems and technologies that use artificial intelligence in drone and counter-drone systems. “This is one of Ukraine's key strengths,” Smyrnova said.

She also pointed to research on the effects of electronic warfare systems on the human body and innovations in early warning of drone attacks. Smyrnova said those technologies should form the basis for specific technological products. The work she described joins security research with the development of practical systems and technologies.

Drone Alliance and Research Role

The EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance is beginning to take practical shape, Smyrnova said, but research centres aren't yet within its remit. She said the alliance’s next task is to bring in scientific expertise and analysis. “It really is an entire ecosystem,” she said.

Smyrnova said Ukrainian universities will need to combine education, science and industry, and that Ukrainian scientists have an opportunity to put that concept into practice. European partners understand the importance of helping Ukraine in this area, she said, while Ukrainian representatives continue to advocate for the country's interests.

One of her key messages, she said, is: “'No research about Ukraine without Ukrainian researchers' – a reworking of President Volodymyr Zelensky's statement, 'No negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine'.” Ukrainian researchers must take part when research about Ukraine is conducted and when its findings are applied, Smyrnova said. She also expressed her conviction that Ukrainian science “will make the EU stronger.”

Funding and University Capacity

Smyrnova said universities need established project teams and leadership, alongside researchers working in research and development. Dedicated teams should help with grant applications and project management, she said. Ukraine has experience setting up coordination centres and grant support services.

She also called on universities to cut bureaucratic red tape so researchers can take a more active part in international funding competitions. Her comments tied expanded research capacity to university organisation and the ability to secure project funding.

The report also referenced the exhibition “Unissued Diplomas,” presented at a Prague Conference. It commemorates Ukrainian students killed in war. Ukraine’s research effort, then, includes planned defence research centres and the students whose diplomas were never issued.