Introduction and Background Fiber-optic guided drones – UAVs that communicate via a physical fiber-optic cable rather than radio – have emerged as a game-changing technology in the Ukraine–Russia war. Though the concept of wire-guided munitions is not new (wire-guided anti-tank missiles like the U.S. TOW and Israel’s Spike have been in service for decades), applying…
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Taxes and Customs Duties on Drone Imports Current Tax Exemptions: As of 2023, Ukraine has waived value-added tax (VAT) and customs duties on the import of drones and related equipment due to the wartime need kyivindependent.com. In February 2023, the parliament adopted bills abolishing VAT (normally 20%) and import tariffs on drones, thermal imagers, night…
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Ukraine’s telecommunications sector has undergone a dramatic transformation from 2020 through 2024, marked by rapid digitalization, infrastructure upgrades, and unprecedented challenges from war. Despite setbacks, the industry has shown remarkable resilience and innovation. This report examines the key developments shaping Ukraine’s “telecom revolution” and provides a strategic outlook for 2025 and beyond, covering everything from…
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Overview: Types of Infrastructure Targeted Ukraine’s telecommunications network encompasses a wide range of critical infrastructure that has come under attack since 2022. These include: Together, these attacks have aimed to sever Ukraine’s connectivity – both civilian communications and military command links – by dismantling the physical pillars of the internet, phone, and broadcast systems. The…
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Introduction The period from 2022 through 2025 has seen Ukraine transform into a focal point of drone deployment and innovation. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have permeated nearly every aspect of Ukraine’s military, commercial, civilian, and humanitarian spheres. In the ongoing war sparked by the 2022 Russian invasion, drones became an indispensable…
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Internet Infrastructure and Major Providers Ukraine has a well-developed internet infrastructure with extensive fiber-optic networks and numerous providers. Thousands of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operate in Ukraine, from national telecoms to small local companies. In fact, over 4,200 ISPs were registered as of August 2024 interfax.com, reflecting a highly competitive market. The largest providers hold relatively small…
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