New York (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Former CIA director David Petraeus says unmanned submarines could secure Ukraine’s victory, urging the West to release frozen Russian funds for Kyiv’s efforts.
As reported by The Telegraph, retired US General David Petraeus warned that explosive drones may help Ukraine halt Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war machine.
What did David Petraeus say about Ukraine’s drone submarines?
David Petraeus, ex-four-star general, who led US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, said unmanned submarines and drones are essential to Ukraine’s military strategy.
He said,
“This is the moment where Ukraine can stop the Russians cold on the battlefields if they are able to make even more unmanned systems.”
Mr Petraeus said providing Ukraine with powerful drones forms a three-point plan for victory.
The former CIA director said developing lethal sea drones and Flamingo cruise missiles could secure Ukraine’s victory, but Kyiv needs continued Western military support.
Mr Petraeus stated,
“I drove an unmanned maritime system the other day in an undisclosed location in Ukraine and it hit 100km an hour, it’s amazing. Alongside aerial drones, Ukraine now has the Flamingo ground-launch cruise missile that travels 3,000km.”
He warned that Western funding for Ukraine’s drone forces could help Kyiv win the war.
According to him, investing £200bn of frozen Russian assets is essential to build more drones and secure battlefield success for Ukraine.
Mr Petraeus said his second and third paths to victory also depend on security guarantees and tougher sanctions on Russia by the EU and US President Donald Trump.
He insisted that Ukraine’s victory depends on applying all three strategies at once to challenge Mr. Putin.
The ex-director spoke from the sidelines of the 2025 Concordia Annual Summit in New York, adding,
“If those three sets of actions are taken simultaneously, I think you could finally get a situation where Russia would just be forced to halt the fighting because they can’t achieve additional gains [on the battlefield].”
He said,
“Or there could be a ceasefire agreement, if that is possible.”
His warning follows weeks of Russian provocations, including drones over Poland and Romania and jets in NATO airspace, while Moscow continues its attacks on Ukraine.
Mr Petraeus said releasing £200bn of Russian funds held in Europe would allow Ukraine to expand its growing drone industry, currently limited by finances.
Gen Petraeus said Mr Putin was not serious about a ceasefire and should not be trusted.
According to him, Ukraine’s ability to innovate in drone warfare offers key lessons for the West, adding, “The future of war is in Ukraine.”
The former CIA director added that the West must combine its forces with unmanned systems across all domains, including underwater, aerial, and missile platforms, saying, “The Ukrainians have done this spectacularly well.”
What did Donald Trump say about Russia and Ukraine at the UN Summit?
For Kyiv, President Trump’s approach signals relief, as he grows more impatient with Russia.
At the UN, Mr Trump warned that Russia’s economic weakness makes it vulnerable to losing all territory it occupies in Ukraine.
He added,
“I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form.”
The UK and French-led coalition has pledged troops if a ceasefire occurs, while Mr Trump remains uncertain, and Ukrainian leader Zelensky insists on US guarantees for peace.
Ukraine’s drones against Russia
Ukraine’s use of strike drones has reshaped the battlefield, enabling Kyiv to hold a larger Russian force to a near-stalemate and inflict heavy losses.
Kyiv’s attacks on oil and gas facilities in Russia have disrupted exports, driven up prices, and weakened Moscow’s war finances.
Over the past five weeks, long-range Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries have caused fuel shortages across Russia.
Russian oil refining has fallen by nearly 20% on some days, with exports from key ports down, pressuring Moscow to reduce production.
Kyiv leads the world in naval drone technology, using it to dominate the Black Sea, pushing back Russia’s fleet, and ending the blockade.
Last week, Ukraine’s unmanned naval vehicles targeted Russia’s Black Sea fleet in Novorossiysk, having already downed jets, helicopters, and warships.
Yvette Cooper’s views on Russia’s NATO airspace violations
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said British jets are prepared to challenge Russian incursions, accusing Moscow of risking direct conflict.
She said, “They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.”
Ms Cooper stated,
“They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO’s skies and NATO’s territory.”
She added,
“We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission, then we will do so.”
Key details about the Ukraine-Russia war
The Ukraine conflict began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Donbas, escalating in 2022 with a full-scale invasion. Casualties have increased, with over one million killed or injured and millions displaced.
The war features frontline fighting, drone and missile strikes, and hybrid tactics including cyber attacks and propaganda.