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Articles by Valentin Badrak
Electronic Warfare: Weapon No. 2. How Ukraine Gained the Advantage and Whether It Can Hold It
Electronic warfare (EW) systems are gradually becoming Ukraine's "number two" weapon. The reason is simple: when missile production rates are insufficient, the ability to disrupt an attack using radio signals becomes increasingly important. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian electronic warfare capabilities have evolved from basic signal-jamming tools into systems capable of disrupting the navigation of drones and missiles.
Cheaper Than Patriot Missiles: How Ukraine's National Air Defense School Is Developing
During the Soviet era, Ukraine was primarily a manufacturer of components for military equipment. Finished products accounted for less than 10 percent, including aircraft, tanks, and radar stations. But during the war with Russia, Ukrainians mastered the development and production of a whole range of other weapons, including anti-aircraft missile systems.
Effective Asymmetry: Why We Need to Scale Up Special Operations
Russia’s war against Ukraine is increasingly less defined solely by what is happening on the front lines. Drones are reaching strategic targets thousands of kilometers away, generals and military commanders are being targeted far from the combat zone, and Russia’s vast size is becoming a vulnerability rather than an advantage. What kind of warfare is Ukraine shaping, and what results might it yield? Read on to find out. LIGA.net.
Russia's War Machine: How Russia Is Building Up Its Arsenal and What Ukraine Should Do
Missiles, advanced drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as the accelerating militarization of space—the Russian Federation is producing all of these at an ever-increasing pace, scaling up its advancements and spreading the threat far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Following a relatively successful May–June 2026 for Kyiv, this dynamic is once again changing the conditions of the war.
Air defense won't protect against ballistic missiles. What missile strategy should Ukraine adopt?
Ukraine has entered a new phase of the war, in which Russia is resorting to ballistic terror. The invaders' ability to launch about 100 such missiles across Ukraine every month Given the limited global capabilities for ballistic missile defense, this gives the Kremlin the opportunity to continue the war for at least several years, or to pause briefly in order to prepare more thoroughly for the destruction of Ukraine. Ukraine’s own capabilities in missile deterrence remain insufficient.
Is it possible to protect the defense industry from Russia’s missile and drone attacks. How those within the industry see it
Russia has changed its approach to strikes against Ukraine’s defense industry. Whereas it previously targeted well-known state-owned factories, it is now systematically taking out new private enterprises that provide Ukraine with a technological edge. This threatens not only current weapons production but also the future of Ukraine’s defense industry. Why the current protection system isn’t working and what solutions the industry itself is already proposing—read on to find out. LIGA.net.
Patriot Missiles Under a U.S. License: Will This Solve Ukraine’s Missile Defense Problem
On the sidelines of the NATO summit, during a briefing with Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of the United States Donald Trump unexpectedly spoke out in favor of granting Ukraine the right to act independently manufacture rockets to the Patriot missile defense systems. Since December 2024, Kyiv has repeatedly and officially had appealed under a license to manufacture Patriot missiles. But even if Washington agrees, that will be only the beginning of a much more complex process.
Ukraine has a historic opportunity to build a new defense industry. Will it squander it
Until 2022, Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex was export-oriented, and the authorities paid little heed to the state’s ability to defend itself—all presidents hoped to sidestep the mounting risks.
From "Neptune" to Ballistics: Can Ukraine Build Its Own Missile Deterrent System?
Since May, the world has been witnessing a new phase of the Russia-Ukraine war—one characterized by the use of middle-range strike drones and systematic deep-strike drone attacks. This is gradually limiting the Kremlin’s ability to launch offensives. In response, Moscow is frantically modernizing its ballistic missiles and drones and is considering a large-scale mobilization. Is Ukraine capable of responding not only with drones but also with its own missile program?
How Trump pushed Ukraine and Europe toward a missile alliance
During his visit to Kyiv this week, the head of the German Defense Ministry Boris Pistorius together with its Ukrainian counterpart launched the joint defense cluster Brave Germany and agreed to joint production of Deep Strike drones with a range of up to 1500 km. Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mikhail Fedorov unexpectedly stated that Ukraine has already has missiles with a range similar to that of the Taurus or even longer. The list of Brave Germany's priorities also includes missile technology.
A new stage of the war. How to defeat Russia forever
This spring could be a harbinger of a scenario where Russia's war against Ukraine is terminated or frozen. This is evidenced by a number of new components. First and foremost, Ukrainian engineers and designers have come up with a response to the most difficult existential challenge: they have written formulas for effectively fighting an enemy that "never ends" and whose weapons are constantly multiplying.
Mass production of Sapsan ballistic missiles may be frozen. Why this should not be done
In early April, the defense industry discussed the possible freezing of the Sapsan missile program. The idea was to stop the deployment of mass production of the new ballistic missile. About it LIGA.net told us back in June 2025 how the a missile born of war. At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saidthat work is underway to launch the Peregrine into production. And in December 2025 confirmed combat use of these missiles.
Ukraine could have created its own alternative to the Patriot air defense system long ago: what went wrong and is there hope?
The prolongation of the US-Israeli war against Iran could lead to Ukraine ceasing to shoot down ballistic missiles. This will happen if the United States is no longer able to supply us with Patriot interceptor missiles. Only one such missile costs $3-4 million, and the Ukrainian military sometimes has to use up to eight missiles against one target – even to defeat one cheap drone, as previously reported by The Times with reference to an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukraine fights better than NATO: how the experience of the frontline breaks Western standards
The WSJ article about how 10 Ukrainian soldiers defeated two NATO battalions, appeared hours before the start of the Munich Security Conference, one of the world's main platforms for discussing issues of war and peace. In recent years, this is not the only case when the Ukrainian army has outperformed NATO units. We have collected episodes of other exercises that complete the picture and analyzed the weakest points of the allies. Already have LIGA PRO?
"Shershen" without a state wing: how Ukraine is losing its chance for its own Patriot
The Ukrainian company has developed and manufactured a unique multi-caliber "Shershen" surface-to-air missile system. The system has been tested in Ukraine and abroad, and codified. Unlike Patriot, it can use both Soviet and foreign missiles, as well as promising Ukrainian-made interceptors. But this SAM is still not on the battlefield. Why?
Ukraine has started exporting drones. What risks did the authorities ignore and how to fix them
Ukraine starts exporting dronesin 2026, there will be ten export centers in Europe," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on February 8. In particular, in the Baltic States and the Nordic countries.
Russia's missile attacks in 2026: how Europe and the United States influence the defense of Ukrainian cities
Russia has improved its strategy of missile and drone attacks – it is pursuing a clear course of "shutting down" large cities, especially the capital. But besides this, the "genocidal component" has also significantly intensified – the deliberate destruction of residential buildings to kill civilians. Why do they succeed? The share of ballistic missiles that are difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to counter has increased significantly. Already have LIGA PRO? Log In
Ukraine's defense industry is at a "low start" to the global arms market. Or it will lose up to 500 enterprises
The tension in the defense market reached a peak in late 2025. Some experts have made a rather disappointing forecast: if we do not take care now, against the background of the likely end of the "hot phase" of the war (although it may last for many more months), the 70% of national defense. That is, one day, 400-500 companies will suddenly find themselves without orders.
It would be realistic for Ukraine to maintain 500,000 troops after the war with the support of partners – analyst Badrak
Illustrative photo: Depositphotos With the help of partners, Ukraine will be able to maintain a half-million-strong army after the end of the Russian war, in an article for LIGA.net said Valentin Badrak, analyst, director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies.
The trademark is "Tested by War". What the Ukrainian army and defense industry of the future should look like
The hot phase of Russia's war against Ukraine may last for many more months or years. Or it can go into the "freezing" stage, conditionally, even tomorrow – and very abruptly and unpredictably. However, Ukrainians have long and well known that this is not the end of the war, but only its transformation into a different form. Because the world has allowed the criminal in the Kremlin a second shot at creating a new empire, which (in his sick imagination) is impossible without Ukraine.
Neptune, Long Neptune, and Pot-bellied Neptune. What is known about cruise missiles hitting Russia
After a long lull, Ukraine's Neptune cruise missile has returned to the war – and in a big way. So now this unique development has a special role to play. Defense Forces of Ukraine hit Novorossiysk – a point of basing for Russian ships, and a number of other facilities in Russia, including another oil refinery. The port infrastructure, the Sheskharis oil terminal, as well as the S400 air defense system launcher and the Russian missile storage facility were severely damaged.
Where to get people without "hard busification" – when the army is going through the most difficult times
"A very bad record". More than 21,000 Ukrainian soldiers left the army in the status of AWOL in October alone. This statistic was released by former MP and commander of a UAV strike unit, Ihor Lutsenko: "Every two minutes, a person runs away from the army... This is the number one problem." A number of modern diseases of the Defense Forces have been exposed against the backdrop of rather contradictory reports of almost Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.
Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet – what does it do against 1500 Russian combat aircraft
Strengthening combat aviation is Ukraine's new number one priority. In other, non-war times, this would have been a cause for sarcasm. After all, the state already has three priorities – missiles, ammunition, and drones – and a bunch of unsolvable problems with each of them. For example, we can already predict that in 2025 there will be no 3000 promised by the president Volodymyr Zelenskyy missiles.
How the Armed Forces of Ukraine are creating their own Space Forces Command and what it will bring to Ukraine
It became known in May 2025 that Ukraine has a sustainable intention to develop military capabilities in space. Back then, on the sidelines of the large-scale Space for Ukraine forum in Kyiv, it was announced three prioritiessatellite communications, space reconnaissance, and a missile warning system. For this purpose, modern Space Forces must be created within the structure of the Armed Forces. The deadline is the end of 2025.
A surprise for Moscow. What weapons will Ukraine receive from the US in the first PURL packages?
Administration Donald Trump approved the first assistance packages Ukraine will receive the weapons under the PURL program funded by NATO allies in the near future. Although formally, the formation of the a new mechanism became known on August 1, the result was an unpleasant surprise for Moscow.
ATACMS license, thousands of cruise missiles. What real guarantees does Ukraine need?
After talking to the president Donald Trump and European partners, the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cheerfully reported on the development of the foundation security guarantees for Ukraine. The emphasis in these "developments" is on economic pressure to exsanguinate the Kremlin's military machine, strengthening Ukraine's air defense system – including the purchase of American weapons for European money – and increasing opportunities for even greater deployment of the Ukrainian defense industry.
Russian attack on Baykar plant on August 28 - what it means for Ukraine
On the night of August 28, 2025, Russian troops launched a missile strike on the Turkish Baykar plant in Kyiv region, which was preparing to produce the Bayraktar drone line in Ukraine. It is known that the two recorded hits, the fourth attack on the company in the last six months, led to quite serious damage to production facilities that were almost ready for operation.
Ukraine in the global arms market. Steps towards the limit of the possible.
Ukraine's defense industry has grown almost fourfold during the large-scale war. At the same time, MilTech has grown by tens of times. For example, before the "big war," there were six suppliers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and only three of ground robotic systems (GRS). Now there are over two hundred of the former and about 40 companies of the latter.
Artificial intelligence in weapons: where Ukraine is already using it and how to scale it up
AI elements are increasingly appearing in drones, turrets, and awareness systems. Experts warn that we are months away from the moment when fully autonomous killer robots will operate on the battlefield. AI will gradually be used in most weapons: in the sky, in space, at sea and on land, and underwater. Back in March 2020, Elon Musk claimed that AI-equipped drones would have a significant advantage over modern F-35 fighters. But how is AI changing weapons five years after the entrepreneur's words?
How ground robots are replacing the infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - analysis by Horbulin and Badrak
During the July LANDEURO-2025 symposium in Wiesbaden, Germany , Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alexus Hrynkiewicz called on NATO to adopt Ukrainian military innovations. This was primarily about the land battlefield and the ability of Ukrainians to integrate new technologies at the brigade level through direct cooperation with small defense companies. This is a recognition of our advantages in NATO's military leadership.
What weapons can Trump give Ukraine to strike Moscow in 2025?
President Trump's provocative question about whether Zelenskyy can strike at Moscow is somewhat reminiscent of the old fairy tale about the Fox and the Crane. Because Kyiv will not soon be able to systematically and effectively hit targets deep in Russia on its own. And in Europe, long-range capabilities are so limited that it is almost impossible to untie this knot without US support, at least not quickly. Therefore, Trump most likely addressed this question directly to Putin as a warning.
American weapons on hold: where the wind is blowing and what China has to do with it
Many in Ukraine felt spoon-fed after the Pentagon unexpectedly suspended the supply of certain air defense missiles and ammunition to Ukraine. After Trump promised Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit to consider supplying Ukraine with Patriot missile defense systems to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, the nature of Defense Secretary Pete Hagel's order to suspend the shipment of missiles and ammunition seems completely unclear.
What will Ukraine get instead of NATO membership - the consequences of the Hague Summit
Is it appropriate to consider the NATO summit in The Hague as "the art of the possible"? Absolutely. Although it was a real political Cirque du Soleil. But it was worth it: the Alliance maintained its unity and did not begin to dissolve into historical annals, US President Donald Trump did not create a new scandal and did not demonstrate a playful desire to withdraw the United States from the Alliance, and Ukraine did not end up on the sidelines.
Crazy shortage of missiles. Why officials are slowing down the development of Ukraine's air defense system
It is hard to believe that in the context of an unprecedented increase in terror from Russia, Ukraine's incredible efforts to intercept Russian missiles and shoot down drones, and the sometimes insane shortage of air and missile defense (AMD) assets, officials are slowing down projects in this area.
Ballistics Born of War. Why a Real Missile Program Is a Test of Ukraine's Maturity
Missile systems are rightly considered a powerful weapon for deterring external aggression and are capable of carrying out major strike missions. If the Armed Forces of Ukraine had several thousand different missiles – cruise and ballistic, as well as a deployed air defense system, it is unlikely that the Russian dictator Putin would dare to attack.
Arms exports worth billions: between monopoly, corruption and the needs of the front
For almost two years now, the defense-industrial complex of Ukraine (DIC) has been "asking" for the world arms market. In principle, the export market has not been closed all this time. It's just that the State Service for Export Control (SEC) has not issued appropriate permits to enterprises. Even when production capacities are not loaded in the interests of the Defense Forces of Ukraine (DFU), or when customers simply did not purchase domestic products.
Drone war is in its peak phase. Is Russia capable of launching 1000 Shaheds per day at Ukrainians?
A few months of Donald Trump's administration have radically changed Russian dictator Putin. By removing the stigma of an international criminal and murderer from the Kremlin's master, the US government has de facto created new geopolitical conditions. This includes almost outright support from China and the consistent formation of a new theater of operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Political Poker. How the US is Losing in Preparations for War with China, and Putin is Taking Advantage
On May 9, 2022, the parade in Moscow was hosted by a depressed, almost crushed person, toxic to the entire world. Three years later, in 2025, Vladimir Putin looked more cheerful than ever on Red Square , confident in himself and the future. Surrounded by the leaders of more than two dozen countries, he no longer felt like an isolated international criminal awaiting punishment.
Why the Space Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are important for Ukraine - analysis by Badrak and Horbulin
The Ukrainian nation is fighting for every inch of its land, for the sea space, underground and underwater resources, but it is not reaching out to space. But it is there that the enormous, almost inexhaustible potential for ensuring defense capability is located. Building up strength in space can lead to powerful technological advantages in intelligence, data transmission and defeating the enemy. In addition, Russia is losing its attractiveness to foreign investors due to international sanctions.
Russia's Next New Strategy: Stall Until 2023
Volodymyr Horbulin & Valentin Badrak Worldcrunch September 9, 2022 KYIV — For about a month, the front line has remained almost unchanged. Russian troops have gone as far as they can. Obviously, this situation annoys the Kremlin, forcing it to look for new, rather unconventional ways to replenish human reserves and worn-out weapons. But Moscow is also playing for time, believing that the onset of cold weather will play into its hands, as an impending energy crisis spreads through Europe.
Mada Masr Editor Detained After Media Reveals Corruption In Egypt's Ruling Party
Note from the Worldcrunch news desk: The independent Egyptian online media Mada Masr, which publishes in Arabic and English, has been a Worldcrunch partner since 2015.
Russia's Next New Strategy: Try To Postpone The War Until 2023
-Analysis- KYIV — For about a month, the front line has remained almost unchanged. Russian troops have gone as far as they can. Obviously, this situation annoys the Kremlin, forcing it to look for new, rather unconventional ways to replenish human reserves and worn-out weapons. But Moscow is also playing for time, believing that the onset of cold weather will play into its hands, as an impending energy crisis spreads through Europe.
1939 v. 2022: Putin Like Hitler, The West Without A Churchill
Since the start of the 21st century, the pace of history has accelerated. The 9/11 attacks marked the first sign of the United States’ vulnerability, and the financial and economic crisis that began in 2007 confirmed the fragility of the capitalist West. Encouraged by these negative signals, authoritarian regimes gained momentum: In a symbolic way for China with the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and in a concrete way, the same year, for Russia with its first successful “bluff” in Georgia.
Battle For Kyiv, New EU Sanctions, Russia Protests
ūüĎč Jambo!* Welcome to Friday, where a battle is underway for control of the capital city of Kyiv a day after Russia‚Äôs assault on Ukraine began, which included the capture of the Chernobyl nuclear site. Meanwhile new international sanctions are imposed on Moscow as protests erupt around the world against the invasion.
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