Ukrainian Officials Consider AI Drone Strikes on Moscow Airports

Ukrainian officials proposed a plan earlier this year to expand their military operations against Russia by targeting Moscow's airports with AI-enabled drones. This plan, which has not been previously reported, aimed to disrupt international flights to and from the Russian capital. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns about the potential for civilian casualties and the legality of using autonomous drones in warfare. Despite his reservations, preparations for the strikes continued for several months. A spokesperson for Zelensky declined to comment on the plan, while another official denied its existence, stating that Ukraine lacks the necessary long-range weapons for precise strikes without risking civilian safety. Russian aviation authorities reported numerous airport closures due to threats from Ukrainian drones, with Moscow experiencing the highest number of shutdowns. The proposed operation, codenamed M&Ms, would involve deploying up to 1,000 drones in a single night to overwhelm Russian air defenses. Planning for the operation was halted in July following the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who had been instrumental in developing the drone program.