INNOVATION ON THE BATTLEFIELD: UKRAINE’S EVOLUTION OF LASER-GUIDED WARFARE
Early in the 2022 invasion, Bayraktar TB2s and laser-guided mini-munitions delivered crippling blows to Russian logistics, air-defence systems and naval assets—exploiting gaps in frontline air defences. Today the TB2’s mission has shifted toward long-range reconnaissance and fire correction, but laser-guided weapons remain crucial because they resist jamming: a laser simply designates the target and the weapon homes in. Traditionally this required aircraft or risky ground teams to paint targets, so Ukraine has swiftly moved to outfit drones with laser-designation systems—combining remote persistence with precision strikes while reducing the danger to personnel.
INTRODUCTION WEBINAR AHEAD OF REBUILD UKRAINE EXPO
The Swedish Pavilion at ReBuild Ukraine will hold an Introduction Webinar on 7 October 2025, bringing together delegates, partners, and stakeholders from Sweden, Ukraine, and across Europe. The session is part of a series of activities leading up to the ReBuild Ukraine Expo in Warsaw (13–14 November), the largest international platform for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
UKRAINE’S BRUISED BUT RESILIENT ECONOMY
War has turned Ukraine’s economy into a case study in survival. More than three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, GDP is barely inching forward, foreign donors keep the budget afloat, and infrastructure is battered with depressing regularity. Yet the country has not collapsed. Instead, it has settled into a precarious equilibrium: one part economic resilience, one part external lifeline.
UKRAINE’S WARTIME ECONOMY: COUNTING THE COSTS
Ukraine’s acceptance of the $65B needs estimate is less a warning siren than a policy coordination device: it sets a realistic number for donors to plan against and underscores the need for predictable, concessional, multi-year funding. With an IMF anchor, a scaled-up EU role, and innovative (legally durable) mechanisms around Russian assets, Kyiv can cover civilian spending, preserve macro stability, and prepare the ground for reconstruction—provided the money is timely, the mix favors grants, and the power system is kept running.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL CHIEF PUSHES TO BYPASS HUNGARY ON UKRAINE’S EU ACCESSION
European Council President António Costa is pushing EU capitals to advance Ukraine’s accession talks by bypassing Hungary’s veto, Politico reports. Costa’s proposal would allow negotiating clusters with Ukraine and Moldova to be opened by qualified majority rather than unanimity, though closure would still need all members’ approval. Diplomats say Costa has been lobbying leaders in European capitals and at the UN General Assembly. Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, visiting Kyiv, confirmed Ukraine has completed screening of its legislation “in record time” and is ready for the next step. Deputy PM Taras Kachka said negotiations will soon begin.
UKRAINE WAR NEARS A TURNING POINT
At a recent conference in Kyiv, America’s special envoy Keith Kellogg remarked: “We are exceptionally close to the end.” His words reflect a growing sense that both Russia and Ukraine are reaching the limits of what can be achieved on the battlefield.
SWEDEN STEPS UP: VARANGIANS FUND JOINS $100M WAVE OF INVESTMENT IN UKRAINE’S DEFENSE TECH
By backing Ukraine’s defense tech industry, Sweden’s Varangians Fund signals that Scandinavia is not just supporting Ukraine politically, but also investing in the technologies that will shape Europe’s future security.
UKRAINE IS READY TO EXPORT ITS WEAPONS, LIKE DRONES THAT HELPED IT CRIPPLE RUSSIA'S BLACK SEA FLEET
Ukraine is preparing to export some of its domestically produced weapons, such as naval drones and anti-tank systems, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. Despite the ongoing war, he argued that controlled exports of surplus production could generate funds to boost areas with shortages, especially aerial drones. Ukraine’s defense industry has expanded rapidly, with 30% of military equipment now produced at home, and a target of 50% by 2025. Export plans will prioritize frontline needs and reliable international partners. Within weeks, Kyiv will present export concepts for the U.S., Europe, and other allied markets.
