TEKEVER, Europe’s leading developer of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), today announced the appointment of Kateryna Bezsudna as Director of TEKEVER Ukraine. The move consolidates the company’s long-term commitment to the country, where it has been operating since 2022, and reinforces its strategy of developing innovation hand-in-hand with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Since its arrival in Ukraine, TEKEVER has flown thousands of missions with its AR3 and AR5 systems, accumulating over 10,000 AR3 flight hours. Continuous feedback from the front line has driven more than 100 incremental evolutions of the AR3, culminating in the unveiling of the AR3 EVO in September 2025 – a system born out of battlefield experience, and designed to deliver unmatched flexibility across land and maritime environments.
“Ukraine is the world’s most important defence innovation lab today. TEKEVER has been here from the start – testing on the front line, listening to feedback, and rapidly transforming those lessons into operational systems. The AR3 EVO is proof of that process: born in battle, designed for any mission, in any environment,” said Karl Brew, Head of TEKEVER Defence.
Kateryna Bezsudna, co-founder of the Defence Builder accelerator and a recognised figure in Ukraine’s defence tech ecosystem, will lead the next phase of TEKEVER’s Ukrainian operations:
– Scaling the local presence and consolidating the Kyiv office opened in April 2025;
– Building a strong R&D hub in Ukraine, fully integrated with TEKEVER’s centres in Portugal, France and the UK;
– Accelerating the integration of Ukrainian startup innovations into TEKEVER’s systems;
– Strengthening the bridge between frontline end-users and engineering teams, ensuring faster innovation cycles.
“I believe we must replace people with technology wherever lives are at risk. Ukraine needs solutions that can be tested directly with combat units and then scaled globally. With TEKEVER, we are demonstrating that from the Black Sea to Donetsk our AR3 and AR5 drones are already delivering intelligence, protecting lives, and paving the way for the next generation with the AR3 EVO,” said Kateryna Bezsudna.
Since 2022, TEKEVER drones have supported frontline operations both in the Black Sea and across the Donetsk front, enabling Ukrainian units to detect enemy assets, sustain persistent surveillance, and save lives.
“By appointing Kateryna, we gain not only local leadership but also a strategic vision to turn Ukraine into a global hub for autonomous systems innovation. Above all, our mission is clear: every TEKEVER system deployed in Ukraine is built to protect people and save lives,” added Brew.