Ukraine deploys new Vepr ground drone for battlefield evacuations
Ukraine receives new Vepr ground drone for evacuating wounded soldiers (photo: mod.gov.ua)
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have added a new robot to their medevac arsenal — the Vepr unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for logistics and casualty evacuation, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
It is noted that Vepr is a domestically developed ground robot, the first versions of which have been operating on the front line since 2024. Drawing on real combat experience and feedback from service members, Ukrainian developers have significantly upgraded the platform to meet current battlefield needs.
UGV specifications
The Vepr platform is 136 cm long, 112 cm wide, and 138 cm high with its mast. With a curb weight of about 350 kg, it can transport a payload of the same weight.
Two 1.5 kW electric motors propel the platform to speeds of up to 7.5 km/h, while the battery capacity provides a range of nearly 40 km. The Vepr UGV is also equipped with digital cameras and several types of communication systems.
The logistics and evacuation Vepr UGVs feature improved tactical and technical characteristics and are capable of performing the following tasks:
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Delivery of ammunition or military supplies weighing up to 350 kg;
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Evacuation of 1–2 wounded personnel at a time;
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Remote demining of territories;
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Evacuation of damaged vehicles or other UGVs from the battlefield.
According to the Defense Ministry, Ukrainian ground robotic systems carry out about 10,000 evacuation and logistics missions every month. In the first half of 2026, the government plans to contract more than 25,000 UGVs, which is twice as many as during all of 2025. The key goal is to shift up to 100% of frontline logistics to unmanned robotic platforms.
Zelenskyy recently said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed for the first time to take control of a Russian position using drones and UGVs. Infantry troops did not participate in that operation.
In addition, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that robotic systems carried out 50% more missions in March than in February.
