Ukraine has announced plans to field a staggering 15,000 combat robots, also known as Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs), by the end of 2025. This ambitious move is not only a response to manpower shortages but also a major leap in integrating robotics and artificial intelligence into modern combat. With a surge in defense contracts and rapid innovation, Ukraine is positioning itself as a global leader in military robotics.
Table of contents
- Why Ukraine is Betting on a Robot Army
- Scaling Up: From Drones to Ground Robots
- What Types of Combat Robots Are Being Deployed?
- Ukraine Robot Army at the Front Lines
- Combat Robots in Support Roles
- Human Cost of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence
- Humanoid Robots : Fact or Fiction?
- Ukraine Robot Army: Strategic Impact
- Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future of War
Why Ukraine is Betting on a Robot Army
Ukraine’s decision to build a robot army is driven by a critical need to offset human losses. With hundreds of thousands of troops engaged and ongoing attrition from intense conflict, replacing human roles with machines has become a strategic necessity.
According to Kateryna Bondar, a fellow at the Wadhwani AI Center, the shortage of personnel has created an “existential need” for robotics on the battlefield. UGVs are seen as a solution for high-risk tasks where human involvement results in unacceptable casualty levels.
Scaling Up: From Drones to Ground Robots
Ukraine has already demonstrated its capability to scale rapidly in drone production, increasing from just a few thousand drones in 2022 to over 2 million in 2024. Now, the government is turning its attention to ground-based robotic systems.
The figure of 15,000 UGVs was cited by Hlib Kanevskyi, head of the Ministry of Defense, who revealed that UGV contracts jumped from $2.5 million in late 2024 to $150 million in Q1 2025. That’s a hundredfold increase, underscoring the urgency and importance of the program.
What Types of Combat Robots Are Being Deployed?
The UGVs being developed and deployed by Ukraine come in a variety of forms:
- Wheeled and tracked robots for different terrain types
- Minelaying and mine-clearing bots
- Logistics UGVs for resupply missions
- Casualty evacuation bots to retrieve wounded soldiers
- Combat UGVs equipped with machine guns or explosive payloads
More than 70 different UGV types were tested in recent BRAVE1 trials, with 10-15 models currently seeing regular field use.
Ukraine Robot Army at the Front Lines
Despite the high number of prototypes, only a few UGVs have made it to the front lines due to logistical and technical challenges. Transporting a 1,000-kilogram robot into combat zones, fueling it, or charging its heavy batteries is no small feat. Moreover, battlefield conditions such as mud, snow, and rough terrain create mobility issues for even the most rugged machines.
However, successful missions have been documented, including the first all-robotic assault using drones and UGVs conducted by the 13th National Guard Brigade. This operation, dubbed “assault without assault,” showed the potential of remote-controlled robots to soften enemy positions before human troops arrive.
Combat Robots in Support Roles
While direct combat operations pose many challenges, UGVs are proving highly effective in support roles:
Logistics Missions
UGVs can deliver up to 60 kilos of supplies, enough to resupply a troop position for several days. These missions replace humans on high-risk delivery routes often targeted by Russian FPV drones.
Casualty Evacuation
Though still considered a last resort, casualty evacuation by UGV has saved lives. One mission last month evacuated three wounded soldiers across 10 miles under artillery fire, involving over 50 personnel for coordination.
Surveillance and Defense
Remote-controlled turrets and weapon systems, often linked to drones for targeting, are increasingly used to defend static positions, reducing the need for troops in exposed trenches.
Human Cost of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles
Although called “uncrewed,” these systems still require significant human input:
- UGV driver
- Weapon operator
- Drone operators (2 per team)
- Electronic warfare specialists
Replacing one soldier can mean mobilizing a four-person crew and significant hardware, raising questions about cost-efficiency.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
The future of the Ukraine robot army lies in autonomy. AI-driven systems could dramatically reduce human intervention:
- Self-navigation using autonomous drone imagery
- Obstacle avoidance
- Real-time decision making
- GPS-independent operations
Yet, as Bondar notes, autonomous ground navigation is far from solved. Even commercial self-driving cars struggle with edge cases. The battlefield, with jamming, low visibility, and unpredictable terrain, is far more complex.
Humanoid Robots: Fact or Fiction?
While quadrupeds like robot dogs have been tested, results have been disappointing. Operators report issues like poor balance on plowed fields, getting stuck in mud, and lack of stealth.
Humanoid robots such as Tesla Optimus or Unitree G1 offer hope due to their potential for human-like mobility. However, their usefulness remains speculative:
- High cost (Optimus is estimated at $30,000 and up)
- Limited battery life (a few hours at best)
- Untested in real combat
Until AI advances significantly, humanoids are not expected to replace soldiers, but might serve niche tactical roles.
Ukraine Robot Army: Strategic Impact
The deployment of 15,000 UGVs will likely reshape military tactics:
- Enable deeper penetration into enemy lines with less risk
- Automate resupply and evacuation
- Conduct AI-enhanced reconnaissance
- Form part of hybrid units with both human and machine fighters
Though they will not replace soldiers overnight, UGVs are carving out critical roles where human risk is highest. As production increases and AI improves, Ukraine’s robot army could serve as a model for future armed forces worldwide.
Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future of War
Ukraine’s plan to build a 15,000-strong robot army is unprecedented. While drones changed the skies, UGVs are poised to redefine ground combat. Their full potential will depend on advancements in autonomy, mobility, and affordability.
Until then, these robots will remain support players—but very powerful ones. As Bondar puts it, the next leap will come when a single human can command multiple robots simultaneously, shifting from operator to mission director. When that happens, warfare will never be the same.
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