Unmanned Frontline: From Combat to High-Risk Evacuations, How Robots Are Replacing Soldiers in the Russia-Ukraine War

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are emerging as a critical new element of the Russia-Ukraine war, taking on some of the most dangerous frontline tasks as Ukraine seeks to compensate for manpower shortages and reduce troop exposure to a drone-filled battlefield.

Ukrainian military units are increasingly deploying four-wheeled and tracked ground robots for combat, logistics, ammunition delivery and casualty evacuation.

The move is part of a broader push to use unmanned systems not only in the air but increasingly on the ground as the war drags into its fifth year.

The “next revolution” in warfare

Reuters reported from a workshop near the front line in northeastern Ukraine where military mechanics were preparing four-wheeled unmanned vehicles known as “hyenas.”

The robots can carry explosives toward Russian positions and attack enemy dugouts or help stop advancing troops, according to a Reuters report.

The development comes as Ukrainian forces struggle to maintain manpower on a roughly 1,200km front line.

Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, described the gradual replacement of UGV infantry as another “revolution” in warfare, according to Reuters.

His corps’ goal is to replace approximately one-third of its frontline units with unmanned systems by the end of 2026.

Biletskyi said the infantry now performs only about 10% of the tasks it did before permanent air threats dominated the battlefield.

From combat to evacuation

UGVs are used to transport ammunition and food to forward positions and evacuate wounded soldiers from dangerous areas.

Reuters reported that Ukrainian forces have integrated unmanned ground systems into units across the front in an effort to reduce the risks soldiers face.

Ukraine 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 country’s defense forces, Kyiv-based press publication Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing the company.

The Varkhan with four-wheel drive is said to carry up to 300 kg of cargo, and with this cargo it can travel up to 37 km. Its range increases to 50 km without load, while its top speed is 20 km/h.

The company said, according to the report, that the system has already been used in combat conditions for frontline logistics missions.

Wider drone war push in Ukraine

The rise of the UGV follows the rapid development of Ukraine’s air and naval drones during the war.

This experience helped create a close feedback loop between Ukraine’s armed forces and its domestic defense industry. Ukrainian drone manufacturers developed and modified systems based on battlefield experience, while Russia simultaneously expanded its own drone capabilities and sought ways to counter Ukrainian systems.

Read also | Why does the US need Ukraine’s expertise in combating drones amid landmark deals?

The same dynamic is now shifting from aerial drones to ground-based robots.

What UGVs mean for future warfare

The growing use of UGVs points to a battlefield where soldiers are increasingly operating alongside – and in some roles being replaced by – machines.

UGVs can transport supplies to dangerous areas, evacuate wounded troops, and perform some high-risk combat missions without directly exposing personnel.

But they are not a complete replacement for infantry. Reuters noted that their mobility limitations and production limitations mean that human units will continue to be necessary for many tasks on the battlefield.

The Russo-Ukrainian war therefore becomes 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 conflict’s most significant lessons — and a glimpse into how future ground warfare may increasingly be waged.