The battlefields of Ukraine are witnessing a technological revolution that is reshaping the nature of ground combat.
While aerial drones have dominated headlines throughout the conflict, a new category of unmanned systems is quietly transforming military operations: unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
From experimental prototypes to mass deployment, Ukraine’s ambitious push to field 15,000 ground robots by the end of 2025 represents one of the most rapid military technology adoptions in modern warfare history.
This transformation reflects more than mere technological advancement. It represents a fundamental shift in how modern armies conceptualize and conduct ground operations.
The integration of artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation systems, and advanced weapons platforms on ground-based robots are emerging as part of an overall ground-based 360 degree operating ground force.
The Evolution from Experiment to Mass Deployment
The journey of Ukrainian UGVs from concept to battlefield reality has been remarkably swift, compressed into a timeline that would have been inconceivable under peacetime development conditions.
Ukraine’s first confirmed UGV combat mission took place in December 2024, when the Charter Brigade successfully deployed one in Kharkiv Oblast. This marked a pivotal moment for it was the first time a domestically produced unmanned ground vehicle participated in a full battlefield operation, transitioning these systems from experimental curiosities to operational military assets.
The progression since then has been extraordinary, defying conventional timelines for military technology adoption.
For example, Ukrainian forces recently captured Russian troops without deploying any infantry, relying entirely on drones and ground-based robotic systems². This achievement demonstrates not just technological advancement, but a fundamental shift in how ground operations can be conducted, potentially redefining the role of human soldiers in direct combat scenarios.
Major General Borys Kremenskyi, Ukraine’s defense attaché in Washington, emphasized the critical importance of these systems at the GVSETS 2025 conference. “We are ready to take any system to test,” he declared, highlighting Ukraine’s openness to rapid innovation and battlefield experimentation.
This willingness to embrace new technology has been a defining characteristic of Ukraine’s approach throughout the conflict, driven by both operational necessity and the recognition that technological superiority can offset numerical disadvantages.
The rapid deployment timeline reflects unique wartime conditions that have accelerated normal development cycles. Traditional military procurement processes, which typically span years or even decades, have been compressed into months. This acceleration has been enabled by a combination of urgent operational requirements, streamlined bureaucratic processes, and the direct involvement of end-users in the development process.
Scale and Industrial Transformation
The numbers behind Ukraine’s UGV program are staggering and represent a complete transformation of the country’s defense industrial landscape. Hlib Kanevskyi, Director of Procurement at Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, announced plans to deliver 15,000 ground robots for combat use by the end of 2025. To put this in perspective, this represents a massive scaling from the handful of experimental units deployed just months earlier, and exceeds the total number of UGVs deployed by most major military powers over decades of development.
Supporting this ambitious goal is a rapidly expanding industrial base that has emerged almost entirely during the conflict period. Over 200 Ukrainian companies are now working on UGV development, representing a fundamental transformation of the country’s defense industrial capacity. This ecosystem includes everything from large established defense contractors to small startups founded specifically to address battlefield requirements identified by frontline units.
The Ukrainian government has backed this expansion with substantial financial commitments that demonstrate the strategic priority placed on unmanned systems. After contracting around 100 million UAH ($150M USD) in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This sixty-fold increase in procurement spending illustrates both the growing confidence in UGV capabilities and the urgent operational demand for these systems.
The development process has been uniquely shaped by the exigencies of war, creating an innovation ecosystem unlike anything seen in peacetime military development. Rather than following traditional lengthy development cycles, Ukrainian UGV manufacturers operate through “frontline workshops”. Here, military engineers and operators directly modify, test, and improve UGVs received from manufacturers, creating an incredibly tight feedback loop between combat experience and technological refinement.
This approach has proven remarkably effective at identifying and solving practical problems that might not emerge in laboratory testing. Companies like Tencore, with its popular “TerMIT” UGV, have undergone hundreds of modifications based on field input, demonstrating the value of this collaborative development model. The result is systems that are optimized for actual battlefield conditions rather than theoretical requirements.
The industrial transformation extends beyond manufacturing to encompass the entire supply chain. Ukrainian companies have developed domestic capabilities for producing everything from basic components to sophisticated sensor systems, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enabling rapid iteration cycles.
Technological Breakthroughs and Innovation
One of the most significant recent developments has been the introduction of fiber optic control systems, representing a quantum leap in UGV capability and survivability. Inspired by the success of fiber optic cables on first-person view (FPV) aerial drones, Ukraine has begun testing these systems on ground vehicles. This innovation addresses one of the most critical challenges facing UGV operations: electronic warfare jamming, which has proven devastatingly effective against radio frequency-controlled systems.
Unlike radio frequency systems, fiber optic links cannot be jammed by electronic warfare equipment and maintain connectivity even in electromagnetically contested environments. This capability is particularly crucial given the saturated electronic warfare environment that characterizes the Ukrainian battlefield. As Major General Kremenskyi noted, “When we are talking about EW, we are changing, and the enemies are changing. We are developing this approach, but it creates a kind of electronic warfare dome”.
The introduction of fiber optic systems also enables operations at greater distances and provides more reliable data transmission for sophisticated sensor packages. Early tests have shown promising results, though the technology remains in development stages. The goal is to achieve the same revolutionary impact that fiber optic controls had on aerial drone operations, potentially making UGVs significantly more effective in contested environments.
The sophistication of Ukrainian UGV systems continues to advance rapidly across multiple technological dimensions. The domestically developed Droid TW tracked platform, operational since December 2024, features artificial intelligence algorithms capable of recognizing enemy personnel. This represents a significant leap toward autonomous target identification and engagement capabilities, moving beyond simple remote-controlled vehicles toward semi-autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making.
Ukraine’s largest UGV trial to date took place in April 2025, involving over 70 ground drones from 50 domestic manufacturers. The test covered a 10-kilometer course under challenging conditions designed to replicate actual battlefield environments, including unknown routes and electronic warfare with constantly shifting frequencies. The majority of participating vehicles successfully completed the trial, confirming their payload capacity and demonstrating sustained high performance over long distances.
The trial also tested advanced communication systems and evaluated mobility for long-range operations, providing valuable data for future development efforts. The next phase of testing will focus on developing operational tactics for logistics and casualty evacuation, as well as designing combat systems with an optimized balance between firepower and mobility.
Recent developments have also focused on modular design concepts that allow rapid reconfiguration for different mission requirements. Most Ukrainian UGVs are designed with modular architectures that enable quick swapping of mission packages, sensors, weapons, or specialized equipment. This flexibility has proven crucial in responding to rapidly evolving battlefield requirements and maximizing the utility of each platform.
Combat Applications and Tactical Evolution
The tactical applications of Ukrainian UGVs have expanded far beyond initial concepts, evolving through direct battlefield experience rather than theoretical planning. As Major General Kremenskyi explained, these systems have proven “really crucial” across multiple mission areas, with new applications being discovered and refined through operational use.
Electronic warfare has emerged as a particularly important application, with UGVs serving as mobile platforms for EW equipment in areas too dangerous for manned vehicles. The ability to deploy electronic warfare systems closer to enemy positions without risking personnel has proven strategically valuable, enabling more effective jamming and signals intelligence operations. These platforms can operate in forward positions where traditional manned EW vehicles would be immediately targeted and destroyed.
Medical evacuation represents another critical capability that has saved numerous lives since implementation. Kremenskyi noted that Russian forces often target medical vehicles despite red cross markings, making unmanned evacuation systems essential for casualty recovery operations. “Since you cannot fly a helicopter to the trenches, we had to invent other ways of medevac, and ground unmanned systems are quite good,” he observed. The ability to evacuate wounded personnel without exposing medical teams to direct fire has transformed casualty recovery operations in high-threat environments.
The scale of the mine clearance challenge in Ukraine has made UGVs indispensable for this mission, addressing what may be the largest mine contamination problem in modern history. The United Nations Mine Action Service estimated in June that over 20 percent of Ukraine’s land representing nearly 55,000 square miles is contaminated by mines or unexploded ordnance¹⁶. Traditional manual clearance methods are simply inadequate for this scope of contamination, making robotic solutions essential for post-conflict recovery efforts.
Current Ukrainian UGV platforms demonstrate the diversity of capabilities being fielded across different mission requirements:
- Liut (Fury): Equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun, this system has passed comprehensive combat testing and can identify and engage targets day and night using advanced sensor packages. Its quiet electric motor and rugged construction allow operation across challenging terrain and in harsh weather conditions, making it suitable for extended autonomous operations.
- Termit: A next-generation tracked UGV capable of carrying up to 300 kilograms across various terrain types. Its modular design allows configuration for combat roles, medical evacuation, or specialized equipment transport, providing tactical commanders with flexible capabilities that can be adapted to mission requirements.
- D-21-12R: Armed with a large-caliber machine gun, specifically designed for surveillance, patrolling, fire support, and engaging lightly armored vehicles. This platform represents the evolution toward dedicated combat roles, moving beyond support functions to direct engagement capabilities.
- Murakha: A versatile platform priced at approximately $29,000, designed for multiple mission configurations including reconnaissance, logistics support, and limited combat operations. Its relatively low cost makes it suitable for mass deployment and acceptable loss rates in high-threat environments.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations have also been transformed by UGV deployment. Ground-based platforms can establish persistent observation posts in areas too dangerous for human operators, providing continuous intelligence gathering capabilities. The ability to pre-position sensor platforms and maintain surveillance without human presence has proven particularly valuable for monitoring enemy movements and providing early warning of attacks.
Logistics operations represent perhaps the most immediately practical application of UGV technology. The ability to transport supplies, ammunition, and equipment without exposing personnel to enemy fire has proven invaluable in maintaining frontline operations. Some units report transporting tonnes of supplies per month over distances of up to 10 kilometers using robotic systems, significantly reducing the risk to human logistics personnel.
Strategic Response to Manpower Challenges
Ukraine’s accelerated UGV deployment directly addresses acute manpower shortages that have become increasingly critical as the conflict has prolonged. Despite expanded draft measures and new incentives, recruitment challenges persist, putting extraordinary pressure on infantry units that bear the primary burden of ground combat operations. UGVs offer a force multiplier effect, allowing fewer human soldiers to control larger operational areas while reducing exposure to direct combat risks.
The manpower crisis has created urgent operational requirements that drive rapid technological adoption at unprecedented speed. As one Ukrainian official noted, “It is about innovation. If you don’t innovate during two months, you are dead”. This pressure has accelerated development cycles and forced creative solutions to emerge at speeds that would be impossible under peacetime conditions.
The demographic realities facing Ukraine make technological solutions increasingly attractive. With a population approximately one-quarter the size of Russia’s, Ukraine cannot afford to engage in attritional warfare using traditional methods. The ability to substitute machines for human soldiers in the most dangerous roles provides a sustainable approach to maintaining defensive capabilities while preserving human resources for roles that cannot be automated.
UGVs are particularly valuable for defensive operations, where they can be used to create automated defensive positions that require minimal human oversight. Theoretical applications include unmanned sentry systems that could allow the same stretch of frontline to be manned by fewer troops continuously exposed to artillery, drone attacks, and direct fire²⁵. This capability could be transformative for force structure planning and operational sustainability.
The psychological impact of UGV deployment also provides strategic benefits beyond their immediate tactical utility. The knowledge that robotic systems are monitoring and defending positions can provide psychological reassurance to human defenders while potentially deterring enemy attacks. The uncertainty created by not knowing whether a position is manned by humans or machines can complicate enemy planning and force more cautious approaches.
Training and doctrine development have evolved to accommodate UGV integration, with dedicated training centers established to develop operator expertise and tactical employment concepts. The first dedicated UGV operator training centers emerged in late 2024, reflecting the institutionalization of these capabilities within Ukrainian military structure. These centers are developing standardized training programs and operational procedures that will enable broader deployment and more effective employment of robotic systems.
Russian Responses and Technological Competition
Russia has not remained passive in the face of Ukrainian UGV advances, but its response has been hampered by systemic issues that reflect broader problems with Russian military adaptation. The Battle of Avdiivka (October 2023-February 2024) saw both sides deploy UGVs in significant numbers for the first time, providing crucial lessons about the operational employment of these systems in high-intensity combat²⁷.
However, Russian systems have generally proven less effective than their Ukrainian counterparts, reflecting differences in development philosophy and battlefield adaptation capabilities. A notable example occurred in March 2025, when six Russian Courier UGVs armed with automatic grenade launchers attempted a coordinated assault near Avdiivka’s fallback defenses. Despite allegedly firing hundreds of grenades, all six vehicles were quickly destroyed, with two being eliminated on camera by Ukrainian FPV drones. This engagement highlighted both the potential and limitations of current UGV technology while demonstrating the vulnerability of these systems to existing countermeasures.
The failure of this assault illustrates several key challenges facing UGV deployment in contested environments. The vehicles were apparently unable to coordinate effectively, lacked adequate protection against drone attacks, and failed to achieve tactical surprise despite their technological sophistication. The rapid destruction of these expensive systems also raises questions about cost-effectiveness and acceptable loss rates for robotic platforms.
Russian UGV development has been hampered by several structural factors that reflect broader issues with Russian military-industrial complex adaptation. The dangerous tactical environment created by widespread drone surveillance makes larger, more expensive systems highly vulnerable to detection and destruction. Additionally, Russia’s pre-war UGV programs focused on complex, autonomous systems that proved unsuitable for the realities of combat operations.
Pre-war Russian development efforts concentrated on sophisticated platforms like the Uran-9 combat vehicle and the Marker autonomous system, both of which required controlled environments and extensive support infrastructure. These systems were designed for scenarios that assumed technological superiority and permissive operating environments, assumptions that proved invalid in the Ukrainian conflict. The absence of larger Russian UGV systems from the battlefield reflects the mismatch between pre-war development priorities and actual operational requirements.
Russia has deployed some specialized systems, including Uran-6 demining vehicles, but these have been used only in carefully controlled environments after operational areas were cleared of threats. This cautious approach reflects the high value and limited availability of these systems, as well as recognition of their vulnerability in contested environments.
The technological competition between Ukrainian and Russian UGV programs reflects broader themes in the conflict, including the importance of rapid adaptation, the value of battlefield feedback, and the advantages of distributed development models. Ukrainian success appears to stem from shorter development cycles, closer integration with end-users, and willingness to accept higher loss rates in exchange for operational learning.
Industrial Organization and Government Support
Ukraine’s approach to UGV development reflects lessons learned from its successful FPV drone programs, applying proven organizational models to ground-based systems. The Brave1 defense technology cluster serves as the primary coordination mechanism, connecting manufacturers with military requirements and facilitating rapid prototyping. This centralized coordination function has proven essential for managing the complexity of multiple parallel development efforts while ensuring compatibility and standardization.
Currently, over 140 robotic systems are registered on the Brave1 platform, with 96 having undergone defense scrutiny and 14 meeting NATO standards. This progression from registration through testing to certification demonstrates the maturation of the Ukrainian UGV development ecosystem and its increasing integration with international standards and requirements.
The government has implemented comprehensive regulatory reforms to accelerate deployment while maintaining quality standards. Codification procedures that previously took several months have been reduced to just 10 days, eliminating a major bureaucratic bottleneck that traditionally slowed military technology adoption. This regulatory efficiency has been crucial in maintaining the rapid pace of technological development and field deployment.
The Brave1 platform has also launched an innovative procurement system dubbed “Amazon for war,” where military units can order drones and equipment using either money or points earned in combat. This system provides direct feedback mechanisms between users and manufacturers while streamlining the procurement process for frontline units with urgent operational requirements.
Government procurement strategies have evolved to emphasize domestic production capabilities and rapid scalability. Procurement officials prioritize manufacturers who can demonstrate ability to scale production quickly and adapt designs based on battlefield feedback. This approach has created competitive pressures that reward innovation and responsiveness over traditional factors like established relationships or lowest initial cost.
The industrial organization model emphasizes distributed production capabilities rather than centralized manufacturing, reducing vulnerability to targeted attacks while enabling rapid scaling. Multiple companies produce similar systems using different approaches, creating redundancy and enabling comparative testing of alternative solutions. This approach has proven more resilient than traditional defense industrial models that rely on single-source suppliers for critical capabilities.
International cooperation has become increasingly important as the program matures. Ukrainian companies are exploring various forms of partnership with foreign entities, including investment opportunities, joint testing programs, and technology transfer arrangements. These partnerships provide access to advanced technologies and manufacturing capabilities while potentially opening export markets for Ukrainian-developed systems.
Technological Challenges and Limitations
Despite remarkable progress, significant technological challenges continue to limit UGV effectiveness and deployment. Reliable communication links remain problematic, as terrain contours, vegetation, and urban environments can easily disrupt connectivity between operators and robotic platforms. The fiber optic solutions being tested address some of these issues but introduce new challenges related to cable management and vulnerability to physical damage.
All-terrain capability represents another persistent limitation that affects operational utility. Many current systems remain vulnerable to becoming stuck in mud, snow, sand, or rough terrain that human soldiers could easily navigate. This limitation restricts deployment to suitable terrain and weather conditions, reducing the operational flexibility that makes UGVs attractive for military applications.
Power and endurance constraints also limit operational effectiveness, particularly for systems carrying heavy payloads or operating sophisticated sensor packages. Battery technology limitations restrict operational duration and payload capacity, forcing trade-offs between mission capability and operational endurance. These constraints are particularly problematic for extended autonomous operations or missions requiring long-duration surveillance.
The integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities raises additional technical and operational challenges. Current AI systems require extensive training on specific operational environments and may perform poorly when confronted with novel situations or adversarial countermeasures. The development of robust AI systems capable of operating effectively in dynamic, contested environments remains an ongoing challenge.
Cybersecurity represents an emerging concern as UGV systems become more sophisticated and networked. The potential for enemy hacking, spoofing, or taking control of robotic systems creates new vulnerabilities that must be addressed through secure communication protocols and robust authentication systems. The consequences of compromised UGV systems could include loss of valuable equipment, intelligence breaches, or even systems being turned against their operators.
Maintenance and logistics support for UGV systems require specialized capabilities that are still being developed. Unlike traditional military equipment, robotic systems require technical expertise for software updates, sensor calibration, and electronic component replacement. The development of field-maintainable systems and training of technical personnel represents an ongoing challenge for large-scale deployment.
Future Developments and Autonomous Capabilities
Looking ahead, Ukrainian UGV development is focusing on increased autonomy and multi-robot control systems that could fundamentally transform ground combat operations. The goal is to reduce operator burden while enabling single operators to control multiple platforms simultaneously, potentially achieving force multiplication effects that could offset numerical disadvantages against larger adversaries.
Artificial intelligence integration for navigation and targeting represents another key development area with potentially revolutionary implications. Future systems may be capable of independent route planning, obstacle avoidance, and target identification, reducing the skill requirements for operators while enabling more sophisticated mission execution. The integration of machine learning algorithms could enable systems to adapt to new environments and threats autonomously.
Swarm capabilities represent an particularly promising area of development, potentially enabling coordinated operations by multiple UGV platforms under distributed control. Swarm systems could provide redundancy against individual system losses while enabling complex coordinated maneuvers that would be difficult or impossible for individual platforms. The development of swarm algorithms and communication protocols represents a significant technical challenge with transformative potential.
Advanced sensor integration continues to expand UGV capabilities, with developments in thermal imaging, radar systems, and multi-spectral sensors enabling operation in diverse environmental conditions. The miniaturization of sophisticated sensor packages makes it possible to equip smaller, cheaper platforms with capabilities previously available only on much larger systems.
The development of automated turrets and weapons systems represents another frontier with significant implications for ground combat. Future UGV platforms may incorporate stabilized weapons systems capable of engaging targets while moving, potentially matching or exceeding the capabilities of traditional armored vehicles. The integration of advanced fire control systems and targeting algorithms could enable precision engagement at extended ranges.
Defensive capabilities are also advancing, with research into active protection systems, electronic countermeasures, and stealth technologies specifically designed for unmanned platforms. These developments could significantly improve UGV survivability in contested environments, making them more suitable for direct combat roles rather than just support functions.
Ukraine’s UGV program has implications extending far beyond the current conflict, providing insights into how future military forces might be organized and employed. The rapid evolution from experimental systems to mass deployment demonstrates how urgent operational requirements can accelerate technological adoption in ways that would be impossible under peacetime conditions.
The cost-effectiveness of UGV systems compared to traditional manned platforms offers compelling strategic advantages that military planners worldwide are studying intensively. When six Russian UGVs were destroyed near Avdiivka, the financial cost was approximately $66,000—far less than the typical cost of losing squads of infantry or platoons of armored vehicles³⁸. This cost differential suggests that robotic systems could provide sustainable alternatives to traditional force structures, particularly for smaller military forces facing larger adversaries.
The battlefield testing occurring in Ukraine provides invaluable data for future military planning worldwide, creating what amounts to the largest real-world testing program for unmanned ground systems in history. Military organizations across the globe are studying Ukrainian experiences to understand how unmanned systems might be integrated into their own forces and what organizational changes would be required to maximize their effectiveness.
The majority of current applications focus on logistics, medical evacuation, and force protection rather than direct combat roles, suggesting that the primary value of UGV systems may lie in reducing human exposure to danger rather than replacing human decision-making in combat situations.
The implications for military doctrine and training are profound, requiring fundamental reconsideration of how ground forces are organized, equipped, and employed. Traditional concepts of unit organization, command and control, and tactical employment may require revision to accommodate the capabilities and limitations of unmanned systems.
International security implications include questions about arms control, technology transfer, and the potential for UGV technology to proliferate to non-state actors. The relatively low cost and technological accessibility of basic UGV systems raises concerns about their potential use by terrorist organizations or other non-state groups, creating new security challenges for governments worldwide.
Economic and Industrial Implications
The rapid development of Ukraine’s UGV industry represents a significant economic transformation with implications extending beyond defense applications. The technological capabilities being developed for military UGVs have potential civilian applications in agriculture, mining, construction, and other industries, creating opportunities for post-conflict economic development.
The industrial base being created to support UGV production includes capabilities in advanced manufacturing, software development, artificial intelligence, and systems integration that could form the foundation for broader technological development. These capabilities represent valuable intellectual property and industrial capacity that could attract international investment and partnership opportunities.
The success of the distributed development model pioneered in Ukraine’s UGV program could influence how other countries approach defense industrial organization. The emphasis on rapid iteration, user feedback, and competitive innovation has proven more effective than traditional centralized development approaches, potentially providing a model for other military technology development efforts.
Export potential for Ukrainian-developed UGV systems could provide significant economic benefits while strengthening international security partnerships. Several countries have expressed interest in Ukrainian unmanned systems technology, creating opportunities for technology transfer and joint development programs that could provide long-term economic benefits.
Conclusion
Ukraine’s transformation from UGV experimenter to mass deployer of 15,000 robotic systems represents a watershed moment in military technology adoption that will influence warfare for decades to come. Driven by operational necessity and enabled by innovative industrial organization, this program demonstrates how rapidly military technology can evolve under combat pressure when traditional bureaucratic constraints are removed.
The success of Ukrainian UGVs reflects broader themes in modern warfare: the importance of rapid innovation cycles, the value of operator feedback, and the potential for unmanned systems to address fundamental military challenges. As Major General Kremenskyi emphasized, the constant need for innovation has become a matter of survival, creating pressures that accelerate technological development in ways that would be impossible under peacetime conditions.
The implications extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders, providing lessons that military organizations worldwide are studying to understand how unmanned ground systems might be integrated into their own forces. The rapid progression from experimental systems to mass deployment demonstrates that the era of robotic warfare is no longer a distant possibility—it is unfolding in real-time on the battlefields of Eastern Europe.
The technological achievements documented in Ukraine represent more than military innovation; they demonstrate the potential for human ingenuity to overcome resource constraints through creative application of emerging technologies. The ability to develop, test, and deploy sophisticated robotic systems under extreme pressure illustrates the accelerating pace of technological change and its potential to transform not just military affairs but broader aspects of human society.
As the conflict continues to evolve, Ukraine’s robot army represents not just a tactical adaptation but a glimpse into the future of ground warfare. The lessons being learned through this massive real-world testing program will influence military planning, industrial organization, and technological development for generations, marking Ukraine’s UGV program as one of the most significant military innovations of the modern era.
The transformation of Ukraine’s military from a conventional force to one increasingly reliant on unmanned or uncrewed systems demonstrates the potential for technological adaptation to overcome traditional military disadvantages. This evolution provides hope that smaller nations can maintain effective defense capabilities against larger adversaries through superior technology and innovation, potentially contributing to global stability by reducing the advantages of numerical superiority in military conflicts.