Unmanned and robotic systems have become one of Ukraine’s key advantages in modern warfare. They form a technological component that provides reconnaissance, precision strikes, logistics, and protection of soldiers’ lives.
- In today’s war, victory depends not on sheer numbers but on technology and adaptability. Unmanned systems give the Ukrainian army an asymmetric advantage and help reduce risks to personnel.
- Unmanned aerial systems have become an integral part of the Ground Forces. What started as small groups of volunteers with commercial drones has grown into dedicated reconnaissance and strike UAV companies and battalions in every brigade.
- UAVs perform a wide range of tasks: they conduct reconnaissance, adjust artillery fire, deliver supplies, escort infantry, and provide communications between units.
- FPV drones act as high-precision weapons, destroying enemy personnel and equipment, striking fortifications, and intercepting enemy UAVs — including downing Shahed loitering munitions.
- Fixed-wing UAVs monitor vast stretches of the front, while heavy “bomber” drones are used against fortified positions and critical logistics targets.
- Drones save Ukrainian soldiers’ lives: they locate wounded personnel, detect sabotage and reconnaissance groups, and support complex evacuation operations. Ukrainian operators and engineers are constantly improving civilian platforms and turning them into effective combat systems.
- Ground robotic systems (GRS) perform engineering, logistical, and evacuation tasks in high-risk areas. Light and medium GRS deliver water, ammunition, and supplies or evacuate wounded soldiers from the frontline.
- Engineering GRS conduct mining and demining, deploy obstacles, and perform tasks that would be especially dangerous for humans in the combat zone.
- Combat robotic systems — remotely controlled weapon stations and mobile platforms (such as “Shablya”, “Liut”, CRAB M1, D-21) — operate in both defense and assault. They allow operators to engage targets from cover, while infantry moves in after the enemy has been suppressed.
- Around fifty models of ground drones have been certified in Ukraine, and this number continues to grow thanks to domestic development teams.
- GRS represent the future of modern combat: machines take on the most dangerous tasks, and humans command and control the battle from safer positions.