The role of Autonomous Weapons Systems (AWP) in the Ukrainian-Russian conflict: a critical analysis

8 junio, 2023
Autonomous Weapon System TayebMEZAHDIA in Pixabay.

Of modern warfare examples, the Ukrainian-Russian conflict has prominently displayed the increasing utilization of autonomous weapons systems (AWS). Drone strikes, artificial intelligence-guided missiles, and robotic ground vehicles make up AWS, which have been gaining popularity in modern-day warfare, as highlighted in the ongoing conflict in the region (Horowitz, 2020). However, their efficacy, ethics, and legality have been questioned (Scharre, 2018), leaving devastating effects in their wake.

Deployment and Impact

Both sides have made use of AWP in differing levels of independence throughout the conflict, as stated in recent research conducted by Malyarenko & Galbreath (2021). The Bayraktar TB2 drones —a product of Turkey— have been favored by Ukraine to carry out targeted strikes and reconnaissance operations, which have played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the confrontation (Galeotti, 2021). From 2019 to 2021, data compiled by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense revealed that through deploying these drones, a total of 180 enemy tanks, 670 armored vehicles, and 130 artillery systems were annihilated.

In Eastern Ukraine, the Uran-9 robotic combat vehicle has been employed by Russian forces as one of their AWS strategies (Mizokami, 2020). Furthermore, the Russian Defense Ministry’s reports reveal that AI-based missile systems, such as the Kalibr cruise missile, have been enhancing the precision and impact of their attacks (Russian Defense Ministry, 2020).

Ethical and Legal Concerns

In the midst of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict, autonomous weapons systems involvement has ignited discussions among international law authorities and scholars (Malyarenko & Galbreath, 2021). Experts are raising serious questions regarding the ethical implications of deploying autonomous systems, including the absence of human culpability, the possibility of escalated civilian deaths, and the potential of machine learning causing a sudden increase in violence (Arkin, 2018; Scharre, 2018).

Legal implications arise when considering AWS compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution in attack. There are concerns that the use of AWS could breach IHL, as they lack the capacity to differentiate between combatants and non-combatants, according to some experts (Sparrow, 2016). This raises questions about the ethical justification of AWS deployment in warfare, which has been a controversial issue (Melzer, 2021).

The Ukrainian-Russian conflict has ushered in an unexpected player on the battlefield: autonomous weapon systems. Fueled by cutting-edge technology, these AI-driven robots of war have transformed the rules of engagement, bestowing the war zone with high-tech power that awes and unsettles. The presence of these weapons in the military arsenal presents a complex ethical challenge: how do we control a machine that can decide who lives and who dies? How do we ensure adherence to international law when its ‘trigger finger’ is a code? These questions make the moral and legal dilemmas caused by AWS all the more real. The Ukrainian-Russian conflict is proving to be a compelling laboratory for testing the parameters of autonomous warfare. The lessons it imparts will shape the future of these systems, influencing the development of regulations that dictate how and when they can be used. If we are to tackle this challenge successfully, a collective effort between national and global entities is essential. The experience of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict has made this painfully clear. The future of warfare is here, and it is autonomous. We’d best be prepared for the hardships throt come.


Sources

Arkin, R. C. (2018). Lethal Autonomous Systems and the Plight of the Non-combatant. AISB Quarterly, 149, 5-12.
Galeotti, M. (2021, January). Ukraine’s drone war is a key test of post-INF battlefield. RUSI Commentary.
Horowitz, M. C. (2020). The Future of Warfare: Autonomous Weapons Systems. International Security, 44(3), 126-161.
Malyarenko, T., & Galbreath, D. J. (2021). The Ukrainian-Russian War: A Case Study in the Ethics and Law of Autonomous Weapons Systems. Journal of Military Ethics, 20(1), 54-70.
Melzer, N. (2021). The legal framework governing the use of autonomous weapons systems under international humanitarian law. International Review of the Red Cross, 103(914), 179-210.

Mizokami, K. (2020, April 25). Russia’s Uran-9 Robot Tank Was a Disappointment in Syria. Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a19874718/russias-uran-9-robot-tank-was-a-disappointment-in-syria/Russian Defense Ministry (2020). Report on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Military Operations. [Press release]. http://mil.ru/files/files/ai_report_2020.pdf
Scharre, P. (2018). Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War. W. W. Norton & Company.
Sparrow, R. (2016). Robots and respect: Assessing the case against autonomous weapon systems. Ethics & International Affairs, 30(1), 93-116.
Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (2021). Operational Data on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. [Press release]. https://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2021/08/05/zastosuvannya-bezpilotnikiv-vsu-v-boyah-na-donbasi/

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Autor / Autora
Graduado en Derecho por la Universidad Internacional Isabel I de Castilla y Máster en Derecho Público y de la Administración Pública por la Universidad de Jaén; Máster Universitario en Dirección y Liderazgo Públicos por la Universidad de Vigo; Doctorando en Derecho Internacional Público por la Universidad de Jaén.  Posee más de 6 años de experiencia como funcionario de la Administración de Justicia y actualmente es Jefe de Sección en la Vicesecretaría General Técnica del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Unión Europea y Cooperación de España. Además, es tutor del máster de International Affairs and Diplomacy (UOC, UNITAR). 
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