A drone factory in Kyiv owned by a US corporation registered in Delaware was destroyed by a Russian ballistic missile on Friday, marking what appears to be the first time Moscow has struck a US defence company linked to the war.
According to a source familiar with the company, Terminal Autonomy manufactures precision “deep-strike” drones equipped with guidance systems designed to resist Russian jamming.
The term “terminal autonomy” describes the final stage of a kamikaze drone’s mission, when artificial intelligence assumes control after enemy forces disrupt radio or mobile signals.
Corporate records show Terminal Autonomy was registered in Delaware in 2023. On its website, the company states: “We deploy AI-guided loitering munitions and precision munitions, which are already in active service against enemy assets on the frontline.”
Terminal Autonomy did not respond to an emailed request for comment, while Ukraine’s defence ministry also did not reply.
Anthony Vinci, a former senior US intelligence officer and author of The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America, said: “The Russians don’t care who owns the manufacturing facility. It’s still a target. They don’t care if it’s American or someone else’s.”
In early July, Donald Trump announced that the US would allow Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defence missiles under licence, despite previously showing limited enthusiasm for arming Kyiv.
Vinci added: “I do think if Patriot missiles or any American system was manufactured in Ukraine, I think the Russians would target that manufacturing facility.”
Russia’s state news agency Tass first reported the strike on Sunday, citing the Russian defence ministry.
Tass said the facility produced AQ-400 Scythe and AQ-100 Bayonet drones.
