Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN Corporation, believes that after the war, drones could become a vital part of the country's civilian infrastructure — spanning from logistics to smart cities.

In 2025, Ukraine will produce over 4.5 million drones, already ranking among the world's largest manufacturers of unmanned systems. However, for now, these are strictly military. But after the war, drones will become an integral part of civilian infrastructure — driving logistics, delivery, monitoring, ecology, medicine, agriculture, and smart cities. It is essential to start preparing the country for this new reality today, Ruslan Shostak, President of TERWIN Corporation, wrote on his Facebook page, emphasizing that current technological leadership must not be limited to the military domain alone.

Ruslan Shostak noted that the future of cities lies in a three-dimensional space featuring rooftop drone ports, charging and battery-swapping stations, aerial corridors, traffic management systems, and the integration of drones into emergency and smart city services.

Global industry leaders already have experience integrating drones into urban life. According to the businessman, China has already established a complete ecosystem for drone technology: the state has certified passenger drones, permitted commercial flights, shaped a regulatory framework for low-altitude flights, and supported businesses. A similar approach has been implemented in Dubai with the launch of the Dubai Sky Dome project — a low-altitude air traffic management system. There, drones deliver documents, medicine, and cargo, while also assisting the police and rescue services.

"The success of the drone industry relies not just on technology, but on a state strategy where business, science, and regulators act in sync. These examples prove that the state can act as the architect of future infrastructure rather than just a customer," Ruslan Shostak wrote on his page.

He is convinced that Ukraine has all the prerequisites to become the third global hub for the drone industry, alongside China and the UAE. However, this requires a systemic state policy: "The best Ukrainian technologies won't be able to 'take off' in peaceful life if we don't create the right conditions."

Among the key steps, Ruslan Shostak highlighted:

• Passing a law on drone aviation;

• Introducing certification and accountability for operators;

• Defining traffic rules for low-altitude airspace;

• Establishing a network of drone ports, charging stations, and flight routes;

• Integrating drones into smart cities and emergency services.

It is also necessary to designate a responsible authority — whether it be the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Service, or the Ministry of Digital Transformation — and develop a unified "Drone Policy of Ukraine." The next step would involve participating in the EU's U-space initiative and creating an export program for Ukrainian technologies.

"While China built an industrial ecosystem and Dubai established a legal and infrastructural one, Ukraine is capable of combining both models: the scale of military technology plus the speed of startups and engineering creativity. If we do not convert our military advantage into a civilian one, we will lose our leadership as soon as the guns fall silent. But if we start acting today, Ukraine can become a global hub for drone industry innovation — a country where drones not only protect life but also make it better," Ruslan Shostak concluded.