Russian developers used AI to build 'kamikaze' attack drone software
Anthropic reported that a small team of Russian freelance developers used its Claude AI system to create software for autonomous kamikaze drones capable of selecting and striking targets in Ukraine. The company also identified state-backed hackers using AI to execute complex cyber-attacks against Ukrainian government and military sectors, including evading security detection. These revelations coincide with recent Russian drone strikes on Kyiv petrol stations and ongoing diplomatic discussions regarding the conflict.
- ▪Anthropic's 154-page report details how Russian developers used Claude to program drone swarms for terminal guidance and target selection in Ukraine's Donetsk region.
- ▪Cybercriminals linked to the Russian SVR used AI to automate phishing and malware evasion techniques against Ukrainian officials and diplomatic sectors.
- ▪Recent Russian attacks on Kyiv petrol stations resulted in at least two deaths and twelve injuries, marking a new phase of intensity in the bombardment of the capital.
- ▪Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Western pressure and NATO expansion for the conflict while speaking at the BRICS summit in India.
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| Original publisher | the Guardian |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/12/ukraine-war-briefing-russian-developers-used-ai-to-build-kamikaze-attack-drone-software-anthropic-says |
| Publication time | Sun, 13 Sep 2026 18:08:40 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-09-13T18:11:50.685Z |
| Last seen | 2026-09-13T18:11:50.685Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
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| Summary | WeSearch · cerebras-chat (WeSearch summarizer) |
| Summary source text | contentText |
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| Cluster | 0iteBxNdk5AT · 1 stories |
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| Ranking reason | Story pages are not engagement-ranked. Hub feeds use recency, with optional source-diversified chronological ordering (cap consecutive stories per source). No personalized ranking. |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Anthropic, the company that developed AI chatbot Claude, says a small team of likely freelance developers in Russia used Claude to develop software for ‘kamikaze’ attack drones. Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenAnthropic, the company that developed AI chatbot Claude, says a small team of likely freelance developers in Russia used Claude to develop software for ‘kamikaze’ attack drones. Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/ShutterstockRussia-Ukraine war at a glanceRussiaExplainerUkraine war briefing: Russian developers used AI to build ‘kamikaze’ attack drone software, Anthropic saysAnthropic also found that hackers used AI in attacks against targets in Ukrainian government, military and diplomatic sectors.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at the Guardian.
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