Ukraine Deploys 25,000 Ground Robots to Replace Infantry Logistics

The Government of Ukraine is aggressively integrating unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and aerial drones into its military strategy to mitigate troop shortages and reduce casualties. In April 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a milestone operation in the Kharkiv region where the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade recaptured a Russian position exclusively using unmanned platforms, resulting in no Ukrainian losses. The operation involved robotic plathons using tracked modules equipped with explosives and automatic weapons to force a Russian garrison to surrender.

To scale these capabilities, Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced plans to contract 25,000 UGVs in the first half of 2026, more than doubling the procurement volume of 2025. The strategic goal is for robotic systems to perform 100% of frontline administrative and logistical tasks, including supply delivery and casualty evacuation. Since January 2026, the Ministry of Defence has spent approximately $330 million via the Brave1 digital procurement platform to deliver over 181,000 unmanned units and electronic warfare systems.

Domestic production is surging through the Brave1 ecosystem, which now coordinates roughly 300 ground-drone companies. Private firms like DevDroid are producing combat robots such as the TW12.7, which can be operated remotely from 50km away. Some units, including the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, aim to replace 30% of their infantry with UGVs. In response, Russian military officials have urged the Russian Armed Forces to prioritize artificial intelligence and robotization to counter these evolving Ukrainian tactics.