Could Ukraine send ground robots to Moscow? Military officer weighs in
Viktor Pavlov, officer with the ground robotic systems battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Deploying ground robotic systems by air into Moscow is feasible, but it would require carriers and reliable communications. The robot's landing and the risk of the carrier being shot down by air defenses must also be considered.
Viktor Pavlov, an officer with the ground robotic systems battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade and founder of a ground robotics training school, shared this on RBC-Ukraine's "TSE BAZA" (THIS IS THE BASE) podcast.
The officer considers deploying ground robotic systems over long distances, including into Moscow, entirely feasible.
According to him, the implementation depends on two factors. The first is the carriers needed to deliver the robotic systems to their destination. The second is communications that allow operators to control the systems. Pavlov stressed that this is entirely feasible.
He said dropping FPV drones during deep-strike missions is possible. However, deploying the ground robotic systems is more complicated: the robot must land without damage, and using parachutes makes the process harder.
Another factor is air defense, which, according to Pavlov, could shoot down the carrier aircraft or drone.
Read also: Ukrainian forces destroy new Russian Shahed-like drones
The Third Army Corps first used the tactic of deploying ground robotic systems in the fall: in September, its NC13 ground robotic strike unit deployed kamikaze robots from heavy bomber drones more than 10 kilometers behind enemy lines during Operation Vivaldi. It was also reported that soldiers from the Alter Ego battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had developed a technology for precision airdrops of combat ground robotic systems using drones, allowing them to be deployed dozens of kilometers from the line of contact.
