The Ukrainian forces are now using robotic gun platforms and grenade launchers on the battlefield.
About the Author
Munazza Shaheen is an AI and technology researcher at TECHi with a deep interest in machine learning, automation, and emerging tech trends. Her work focuses on exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on industries, ethical AI development, and future innovations. She actively follows advancements in deep learning, robotics, and AI-driven solutions, contributing insights into how technology is shaping the world.
The Ukrainian forces are now using robotic gun platforms and grenade launchers on the battlefield. This is an illumination of modern warfare and allows them to confront Russian forces with tactical versatility, along with reduced human risk.
The unmanned ground system includes a wide variety, from stationary turrets to wheeled and mobile robots. They’re being deployed by Ukrainian units like the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, which is leading their use in combat. These robots are designed to fire machine guns or grenade launchers and hold positions under enemy fire. In some cases, they’re also anticipated to perform tasks that were previously considered too dangerous for even elite infantry.
"They can now do things that couldn't have been done before. Even by the bravest infantry people,"
said Oleksandr Yabchanka, head of robotic systems for the Da Vinci Wolves, in an interview with Business Insider.
“You can have the same firing setup, but now with a robot instead of a soldier who can be killed or injured.”
The robotic systems are part of Ukraine’s accelerated push to counter Russia’s strong manpower and hardware advantage through technological innovation. Although aerial drones have dominated headlines in recent years, ground-based combat robots that are often equipped with U.S.-made weapons like the Browning .50-caliber machine gun are beginning to take on more difficult frontline roles.
Some of these robots function as remote-controlled turrets, while others resemble machine guns that are mounted on fluid four-wheeled platforms. Their capabilities include:
Ukraine’s growing use of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) is attracting attention across NATO and the European defence community. Estonian manufacturer Milrem Robotics, whose THeMIS combat platform is active in Ukraine, said that its robots are often sent into “positions where [soldiers] don’t want to send their troops.”
"Before, people were skeptical," said Milrem CEO Kuldar Väärsi,
"but now it’s clear unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield."
However, the deployment is not without challenges. Connectivity issues, such as Russian electronic jamming or physical destruction of the robot, can render them inoperative, turning them into "an expensive pile of metal scrap," Yabchanka noted. Despite this, Ukrainian soldiers are modifying robots in real-time on the front lines and staying in direct contact with developers to refine the tech under combat conditions.
As both sides of the war invest heavily in battlefield automation, Ukraine is emerging as a testbed for robotic warfare at scale. This is a development Western militaries are watching closely. Yabchanka urged Europe to work more closely with Ukrainian developers, emphasizing that battle-tested insights are more valuable than theories or simulations.
"What was up to date and relevant half a year ago is not up to date and relevant anymore,"
he warned.
Ukraine’s use of armed ground robots is not just a tactical innovation. It’s a sign of a constantly changing battlefield where autonomous and remote-controlled machines are stepping into positions that were once held only by soldiers. As the war continues, these developments may shape how nations prepare for conflicts farther beyond Ukraine’s borders.
About the Author
Munazza Shaheen is an AI and technology researcher at TECHi with a deep interest in machine learning, automation, and emerging tech trends. Her work focuses on exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on industries, ethical AI development, and future innovations. She actively follows advancements in deep learning, robotics, and AI-driven solutions, contributing insights into how technology is shaping the world.
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