World

Ukraine Deploys Unmanned Ground Vehicles to Reduce Soldier Exposure on 1,200‑km Frontline

By Bhanu Pratap

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are becoming a key component of the Russia‑Ukraine war, performing dangerous frontline tasks as Ukraine seeks to offset manpower shortages and protect soldiers from a battlefield saturated with drones. Ukrainian units are increasingly fielding four‑wheeled and tracked robots for combat, logistics, ammunition delivery and casualty evacuation. The shift reflects a broader effort to use unmanned systems on the ground as the conflict enters its fifth year.

At a workshop near the northeastern frontline, mechanics were preparing four‑wheeled UGVs called “Hyenas.” These robots can carry explosives toward Russian positions, attack enemy dugouts or help halt advancing troops. The development comes as Ukrainian forces aim to preserve manpower along a roughly 1,200‑km frontline.

Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, described the gradual replacement of infantry with UGVs as the next “revolution” in warfare. His corps plans to replace about one‑third of its frontline troops with unmanned systems by the end of 2026. Biletskyi said infantry now performs only about 10 % of the tasks it carried out before the battlefield became dominated by persistent aerial threats. UGVs are used to transport ammunition and food to frontline positions and to evacuate wounded soldiers from dangerous areas.

Ukrainian forces have integrated unmanned ground systems into units across the front to reduce risks faced by troops. The country is also expanding the number and types of ground robotic systems entering military service. In September, Ukrainian company Air3F’s Varkhan ground robotic system was officially codified and approved for use by the defence forces. The four‑wheel‑drive Varkhan can carry up to 300 kg of cargo and travel up to 37 km with that load; its range increases to 50 km without a load, and its maximum speed is 20 km/h. The company said the system has already been used in combat conditions for frontline logistics missions.

The rise of UGVs follows Ukraine’s rapid development of aerial and maritime drones during the war. That experience has created a close feedback loop between the armed forces and the domestic defence industry. Ukrainian drone makers have developed and modified systems based on battlefield experience, while Russia has expanded its own drone capabilities and sought ways to counter Ukrainian systems. The same dynamic is now moving beyond aerial drones to ground robots.

The growing use of UGVs points to a battlefield where soldiers increasingly operate alongside—and in some roles are replaced by—machines. UGVs can carry supplies into dangerous areas, evacuate wounded troops and undertake high‑risk combat missions without directly exposing personnel. However, they are not a complete replacement for infantry. Mobility limitations and production constraints mean human troops will remain essential for many battlefield tasks.

The Russia‑Ukraine war is therefore becoming a testing ground for a broader model of warfare. The evolution from drone warfare in the skies to unmanned systems across the battlefield could be one of the most significant lessons emerging from the conflict—and a glimpse of how future land warfare may increasingly be fought.

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security. Bhanu also focuses on in‑depth, interview‑based reports and regularly speaks with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world. He is interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles. One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.

For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work. He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic. Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate led him to journalism.

Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music. For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.