Ukraine Deploys New Ground Robots Stronger Than Drones on Battlefield

VOV.VN – Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are emerging as Ukraine’s new tactical weapon, offering greater destructive power than UAVs and helping reduce casualties on the front lines.

While unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) still play a key role in Ukraine’s defense, a new type of weapon is quietly changing the battlefield dynamics: unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). These systems can carry significantly larger explosive payloads than drones, allowing Ukraine to intensify its firepower without putting more troops in harm’s way.

More Firepower Than Drones

Oleksandr Yabchanka, who oversees robotic systems for Ukraine’s Da Vinci Wolves battalion, said that UGVs are often equipped with explosives, turning them into “suicide robots.” This tactic mirrors UAV operations where drones either explode on impact or drop grenades on enemy targets.

“The key difference lies in payload capacity,” Yabchanka said. While the largest UAVs can carry mines weighing around 10 kg, even the smallest UGVs can haul over 22 kg of explosives. On average, UGVs carry far more explosives than aerial drones.

Ukraine currently operates a wide array of unmanned systems, including:

Small UAVs for reconnaissance and tactical strikes,

Larger UAVs for deep strikes inside Russian territory,

Unmanned maritime drones targeting warships in the Black Sea,

And UGVs for combat, logistics, mine-laying, intelligence gathering, and medical evacuation.

Yabchanka emphasized that expanding UGV capabilities allows Ukraine to significantly boost its firepower without deploying more soldiers—crucial when facing a much larger Russian military force.

According to Yabchanka, approximately 80% of Russian battlefield casualties are now caused by unmanned systems, with the rest primarily due to artillery. At the start of the conflict, the reverse was true. UGVs, he noted, could further enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.

“Imagine if we could double the amount of explosives delivered to the front line—our firepower would increase dramatically,” he added.

UGVs Performing Diverse Battlefield Roles

Although not yet widespread across Ukraine’s military, UGVs are already being used by several units for a range of tasks:

Evacuating wounded soldiers,

Engaging enemy troops with mounted weapons,

Transporting supplies,

Laying mines,

Conducting suicide missions against Russian fortifications,

And gathering real-time battlefield intelligence.

The Unmanned Arms Race

Russia, too, is developing its own ground-based robotic systems. “The question isn’t if they are doing it, but how fast,” Yabchanka said.

Both sides are now locked in a race to develop unmanned warfare technology—not only for offense but also to counter enemy drones and robots. Rapid production, innovation, and deployment will likely determine who gains the upper hand.

Yabchanka revealed that Ukraine is closely monitoring Russia’s progress and developing its own countermeasures, while continuously upgrading its own UGVs. These upgrades often happen directly on the battlefield, with soldiers calling manufacturers to suggest real-time improvements or new features.

When UAVs and UGVs are used in tandem, Ukraine gains more options for engaging Russian forces while keeping operators safe and distanced from the front.

Toward Self-Reliance in Weapons Development

Despite billions of dollars in Western aid, Ukraine is increasingly pivoting toward self-developed weaponry to speed up innovation and address supply shortages caused by political hurdles.

Yabchanka noted that Ukraine has become a pioneer in developing certain types of advanced unmanned systems. European leaders have acknowledged they can learn from Ukraine’s military strategies and technologies—particularly in the field of unmanned warfare.

He urged European nations to boost cooperation in robotic weapons development:

“Whatever you need from us, we’re ready to help.”

According to Yabchanka, Europe has far greater resources than Russia, and increased collaboration would benefit all parties involved.

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