Ukraine deploys ground robots to aid troops against Russia
According to a report from the Christian Science Monitor, Ukraine is increasingly developing and deploying unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) – or “land drones” – to perform tasks traditionally handled by foot soldiers in its war with Russia, now in its fifth year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in April that Ukraine for the first time captured a Russian position using only unmanned platforms, including both aerial drones and robots. The initiative is driven by a government program called Brave1, which fast-tracks defense technology from startups to the front lines. Ihor Shmyryov, head of Brave1’s UGV Department, said that by 2026, UGV development had grown to nearly 40 percent of the grants the initiative awards, with about 270 manufacturers producing 550 UGV models. About 90 percent of current robot tasks involve logistics, such as delivering supplies, but use for reconnaissance is growing. Companies like Ratel Robotics, which produces five types of UGVs and plans turret-mounted robots next year, emphasize that the primary goal is saving soldiers’ lives. A robot operation school run by the 10th Army Corps trains soldiers returning from combat to operate the vehicles.
What’s reported
Ukraine is developing and deploying unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for reconnaissance, logistics, evacuations, mining, and demining.
President Zelenskyy said Ukraine captured a Russian position using exclusively unmanned platforms for the first time.
Brave1, a government initiative, reports UGV development jumped to almost 40% of its grants by 2026.
Approximately 270 manufacturers are producing 550 UGV models, according to Brave1’s Ihor Shmyryov.
About 90% of current robot tasks are in logistics; reconnaissance use is growing.
Ratel Robotics has 400 employees, produces about 4,000 UGVs annually, and plans turret-mounted machine-gun robots next year.
Ratel’s CEO Taras Ostapchuk said each robot can do the work of two soldiers, and damaged robots can be repaired and sent back.
A 10th Army Corps robot school trains soldiers from the front lines.
Key figures
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Vitaly (call sign “Cossack”), director of the 10th Army Corps’ robot operation school
Ihor Shmyryov, head of the UGV Department at Brave1
Taras Ostapchuk, chief executive of Ratel Robotics
Danilov, director of curriculum at the robot school
Sources: csmonitor.com
