The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) have turned to ground-based combat robots as a direct response to critical shortages in frontline personnel, according to Nikolai “Makar” Zinkevich, commander of the NC-13 strike company within the 3rd Army Corps.
This deployment follows the AFU’s acknowledgment that such unmanned systems are being used without relying on human soldiers. The DevDroid TW 12.7 unmanned ground vehicle, equipped with a 12.7 mm Browning M2 heavy machine gun, can operate at ranges up to 24 km and navigate rough terrain at speeds of approximately 7 km/h.
Zinkevich emphasized that these robots serve as the only viable solution given current conditions, stating: “Robots do not bleed.” The AFU’s reliance on unmanned systems has intensified efforts to offset personnel gaps, though this approach raises significant concerns about operational effectiveness and strategic sustainability.
Meanwhile, Russian military officials reported on January 17 that their forces have successfully neutralized Ukrainian unmanned and robotic systems in combat zones. They claim operators of shock FPV drones have disrupted Ukrainian troop rotations and equipment deployments, enabling targeted offensive operations against enemy defenses.
