Robots Replace Soldiers in Ukraine-Russia Ground Warfare

Ground Robots Transform Battlefield Dynamics in Ukraine Conflict

In a dramatic shift that's reshaping modern warfare, both Ukrainian and Russian forces are increasingly deploying unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to replace soldiers in high-risk combat situations. What began as logistical support has evolved into a full-scale robotic arms race, with thousands of ground robots now operating on the frontlines of Europe's largest conflict since World War II.

From Logistics to Combat: The UGV Evolution

Ukraine's military has rapidly expanded its robotic capabilities, growing from initial skepticism to deploying approximately 15,000 unmanned ground systems by 2025. 'Iedereen wil een UGV' (Everyone wants a UGV), says Yurii Poritskyi, CEO of Ukrainian robotics company DevDroid, highlighting the dramatic shift in military thinking. What began with simple transport robots has evolved into sophisticated combat platforms armed with machine guns, grenade launchers, and AI-powered targeting systems.

The urgency stems from Ukraine's critical manpower shortages. As one Ukrainian commander explained to Ukrainska Pravda, 'We use artificial intelligence in combat modules and machine vision to support patrols and target detection. Once a sector or corner is set, the tower automatically patrols. When it detects a moving object or heat signature, it begins tracking and alerts the operator.'

Combat Robots in Action

The most common armament for Ukrainian UGVs is the .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun, valued for its range and psychological impact. These robots are built around existing weapons systems, with AI modules added for target detection based on movement and thermal signatures. While UGVs can autonomously track targets, human operators maintain firing control to prevent friendly fire incidents.

According to Atlantic Council analysis, one Ukrainian UGV completed a remarkable 45-day combat mission in late 2025, holding front-line positions that would have required multiple human soldiers. These systems offer significant advantages: they're harder to jam than aerial drones and more difficult to spot than conventional vehicles.

Russian Counter-Developments

Russia hasn't been idle in this technological race. Their forces have deployed the 'Courier' ground robot - a 250kg tracked vehicle capable of carrying electronic warfare systems, grenade launchers, and anti-tank weapons. As reported by Forbes, these systems are being used to bring anti-drone capabilities closer to the front lines, creating a complex battlefield ecosystem where ground robots and aerial drones interact and complement each other.

Technical Challenges and Limitations

Despite their advantages, ground robots face significant challenges. Communication reliability remains a persistent issue, with signals sometimes becoming weak or unreliable in contested environments. Mechanical problems also plague these systems - when a weapon jams or a cartridge gets stuck, manual intervention is still required.

Design compromises create additional vulnerabilities. To maintain low visibility, many UGVs are built close to the ground, limiting their ability to navigate rough terrain and forcing them to use roads where they become more visible to aerial surveillance. Their electronic signatures from video feeds and command links also make them detectable to electronic warfare systems.

The Future of Robotic Warfare

The conflict has accelerated development of next-generation systems. Ukrainian company DevDroid, in collaboration with Rovertech, has created the Zmiy Droid 12.7 - an AI-powered combat UGV that can withstand anti-personnel mine blasts and multiple FPV drone hits. Meanwhile, both sides are experimenting with ground robots that can launch and control aerial drones, effectively extending drone ranges by serving as mobile communication relays.

As former Ukrainian commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi noted, robotic systems can reduce casualties but current technology remains insufficient to replace humans at scale. The expanding robot armies on both sides represent an important component of evolving defenses that save lives while raising the cost of continued conflict.

Sources

Ukrainska Pravda: Ukrainian forces deploy ground robots with machine guns
Atlantic Council: Ukraine's robot army crucial in 2026
Forbes: Russia and Ukraine employ ground robots
DevDroid: Ukrainian robotics company
Wikipedia: Unmanned ground vehicle history