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Ukraine ramps up use of armed ground robots in combat
The Ukrainian military has launched a large-scale initiative to integrate uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) into frontline operations, marking a new phase in the country's high-tech warfare strategy. These armed robots have already demonstrated effectiveness in repelling attacks, capturing enemy soldiers, and conducting precision strikes without risking human lives.
First-of-its-kind UGV battalion leads the charge
Oleksandr Afanasiev, commander of the K2 brigade's UGV battalion-the world's first dedicated unit of its kind-stated that his forces are actively deploying these systems in combat. The robots, often equipped with Kalashnikov machine guns or explosive payloads, operate in environments too hazardous for infantry.
"They open fire on battlefields where a soldier would hesitate to step. A UGV doesn't fear destruction," Afanasiev said.
Oleksandr Afanasiev, Ukrainian Army UGV Battalion Commander
Afanasiev's unit has also utilized kamikaze UGVs, which silently approach and detonate near enemy positions, avoiding the audible warnings of aerial drones.
Robots clash on the battlefield
Reports suggest Ukrainian and Russian UGVs have already engaged in direct confrontations, a development described as "robot wars" by industry experts. A deputy commander of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade, known by the callsign Afghan, recounted instances where a Ukrainian UGV ambushed a Russian personnel carrier and another defended a position for weeks.
Despite their autonomy in movement and target detection, ethical and legal constraints require human operators to authorize lethal actions. Afghan emphasized that final decisions remain human-controlled to prevent civilian casualties or misidentification.
Dual role: combat and logistics
While armed UGVs draw attention, most uncrewed vehicles in Ukraine's arsenal serve logistical purposes, such as delivering supplies or evacuating wounded soldiers. However, former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, predicted a rapid expansion of strike UGVs, integrated into AI-driven swarms combining air, ground, and sea drones.
"Soon, hundreds of smarter, cheaper drones will attack simultaneously from all directions-air, ground, and sea," Zaluzhnyi said during a Chatham House event.
Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Former Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief
Manpower shortages have accelerated Ukraine's adoption of UGVs, with Afanasiev noting that robots are expendable in ways human soldiers are not.
Russia's robotic arsenal and future developments
Russia has also deployed combat UGVs, including the Kuryer-capable of autonomous operation for five hours-and the Lyagushka kamikaze vehicle. Yuriy Poritsky, CEO of Ukrainian manufacturer Devdroid, warned that clashes between opposing UGVs are inevitable as both sides scale production.
"Robot wars may sound like fiction, but they're already our reality," Poritsky said.
Yuriy Poritsky, CEO of Devdroid
Devdroid is developing systems to enable UGVs to return autonomously if communications fail, while Tencore, another Ukrainian producer, delivered over 2,000 UGVs in 2025 and expects demand to surge to 40,000 units in 2026. Maksym Vasylchenko, Tencore's director, forecasted that 10-15% of these will be weaponized, with future models potentially resembling humanoid combatants.
Ethical and tactical challenges
The rise of UGVs raises questions about autonomy, accountability, and battlefield ethics. While current systems retain human oversight for lethal actions, advancements in AI could blur these boundaries. For now, Ukraine's focus remains on leveraging robots to offset manpower deficits and reduce soldier casualties in a war where technology increasingly dictates outcomes.
