A Ukrainian delegation comprising representatives from Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine（LDLU）, The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission（NAKO）, and an active-duty military officer visited the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology (DSET) on March 30 to exchange views on unmanned systems, energy resilience, and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
The delegation included Mariia Makarovych, East Asia Representative of LDLU; Olena Tregub, Executive Director of NAKO; Maryna Bezkorovaina, Ukraine independent expert on strategic communication; and Illia Hriaznov, an active-duty Ukrainian military officer. They engaged in discussions with DSET’s teams focusing on national security, energy resilience, and democratic governance, addressing issues of shared concern.
On unmanned systems, Illia Hriaznov noted that traditional artillery positions are easily detected and lack mobility, whereas drones—characterized by low cost, high mobility, and precision—have become a critical tool in modern warfare.
He further emphasized that Ukraine’s battlefield experience shows a shift from the use of individual drones to a “system-of-systems” approach. A comprehensive unmanned operational framework typically includes attack FPV drones, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones, and relay drones responsible for signal extension. These components operate in coordination to enhance combat effectiveness. Hriaznov highlighted that relay drones are particularly important for Taiwan, given its mountainous terrain and dense urban environments, where signal obstruction can hinder drone operations without relay support.
DSET welcomed the delegation and noted that over the past year, our research teams have maintained close engagement with Ukrainian partners on three key areas: drone collaboration, energy security, and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. In the first half of this year, DSET plans to publish a series of analytical reports on these topics, along with policy recommendations to further advance Taiwan–Ukraine cooperation.
On energy resilience, DSET highlighted Ukraine’s experience with decentralized energy systems, including subsidy programs that enable households and businesses to adopt solar and storage solutions, strengthening resilience during disruptions. These lessons are particularly relevant for Taiwan, given its dependence on energy imports and vulnerability to infrastructure disruptions.
Both sides also discussed the convergence of physical attacks and information operations. DSET research finds a strong correlation between attacks on energy infrastructure and coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining public trust.
DSET views the visit as a foundation for continued collaboration among Taiwan, Ukraine, and partners in Central and Eastern Europe on shared security challenges. The delegation also participated in Taiwan’s 2026 Civil Defense Conference organized by Kuma Academy, sharing Ukraine’s experience in civil preparedness.
