Ukraine's battle robots are changing the fight in two crucial ways - Expert
Photo: Expert explains the key combat missions performed by Ukraine's ground robots (UGV Robotics press service)
Combat unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have two primary missions on the battlefield: slowing enemy advances and clearing logistics routes, Petro Leontiev, director of UGV Robotics, stated in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to Leontiev, UGVs are designed to partially or completely replace soldiers in dangerous battlefield tasks, and the company's systems are built with that goal in mind.
The combat robots are typically equipped with a 7.62-caliber machine gun and can be used in several different ways.
Leontiev said there are two of the most common roles for the company's UGVs.
The first is clearing logistics routes. Ukrainian supply vehicles often need to travel along roads that Russian forces have seeded with explosive devices or "waiting drones" designed to attack passing vehicles.
The UGV drives ahead and uses its machine gun to destroy enemy explosive devices and other threats, clearing the route for logistics convoys. This role is typically performed behind the front line rather than in direct combat.
The second major role is serving as a forward observation and ambush platform.
"As infantry numbers continue to shrink, stopping enemy advances becomes increasingly important," Leontiev explained.
The UGV is deployed to areas where Russian infantry is expected to advance and remains hidden in ambush mode.
If enemy troops are detected, the robot opens fire. While destroying enemy personnel is important, its primary task is to halt the advance, making Russian troops easier targets for FPV drones, bomber drones, and other strike systems.
A third role, which is still being actively developed, involves more offensive operations.
Military units sometimes need to move beyond the front line, engage enemy positions, provide suppressive fire, distract Russian forces, or support assault operations. UGVs are increasingly being adapted for these missions.
Ukraine's growing fleet of battlefield robots
Earlier, Ukraine announced it is rapidly expanding the deployment of combat ground robots, assigning them an increasing number of dangerous battlefield tasks.
Ukrainian UGVs now perform nearly half of all frontline logistics missions, evacuate wounded soldiers, and have even been used to capture Russian troops.
An officer from the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, known by the callsign Witcher, has even created a dedicated robotic company.
In a separate interview with RBC-Ukraine, Ratel Robotics founder and CEO Taras Ostapchuk explained how ground drones became part of Ukraine's Armed Forces, why Ukrainian systems outperform many European counterparts, and how artificial intelligence is being integrated into UGVs.
Looking ahead, Ukrainian UGVs are also expected to service larger autonomous ground platforms, reducing the need for soldiers to perform dangerous support tasks.
More details are available in RBC-Ukraine's interview with UGV Robotics Director Petro Leontiev.
