Erik Prince Makes Quiet Move on Ukraine’s Booming UAV Sector

Erik Prince, founder of the private military company Blackwater, is once again attempting to gain a foothold in Ukraine’s defense sector — this time by targeting the country’s growing drone manufacturing industry.

Multiple Ukrainian and international sources report that Prince has approached several local drone firms with offers to invest or acquire, seeking access to the same UAV technologies that have become critical in Ukraine’s war against Russia.

His latest push comes years after a failed attempt in 2020 to establish a private military hub and weapons factory in Ukraine. This new effort is drawing scrutiny due to the sensitive nature of Ukraine’s drone firms, which are protected by law as strategic national assets — meaning they cannot be sold or controlled by foreign interests without government approval.

Critics warn that Prince’s history with Blackwater — including its involvement in Iraq War controversies — combined with his business dealings in authoritarian regimes, make his intentions questionable at best.

With Ukraine rapidly becoming a global testing ground for modern warfare tech, the battle over who controls its drone sector may soon become as fierce as the war itself.