Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defense minister, announces a new initiative he calls a “Manhattan Project” focused on developing “killer robots” for battlefield use. In interviews reported by Defense News and Military Times, he outlines a rapid schedule for deploying humanoid-like robots and pursuing combat operations that would rely less on infantry.
Fedorov says he wants humanoid-like robots on the battlefield within six months. He also describes a longer-term goal of conducting an assault without infantry within a year. The outlets present the initiative as a push to accelerate robotics adoption in the context of ongoing warfare, without detailing specific manufacturers, funding mechanisms, or technologies in the referenced reports.
Both sources largely align on the core claims: the existence of the “Manhattan Project,” the focus on armed robots, and the proposed timelines. Neither report provides additional corroboration such as official government approval, contract awards, or test results in the excerpts provided.
