Ukraine’s Giving Robots Guns and Grenade Launchers
Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly using armed ground robots to engage Russian forces, allowing them to avoid direct exposure to enemy fire. These robots, which can be stationary turrets or mobile units, are capable of firing machine guns or grenade launchers from entrenched or moving positions. Though not yet widely deployed, they offer significant advantages by maintaining fire even under attack—something human operators often can’t do.
Oleksandr Yabchanka, head of robotic systems for Ukraine’s Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, emphasized that these robots can perform high-risk tasks beyond even the most courageous infantry. Ukraine has long innovated with aerial drones, and is now rapidly expanding its use of ground-based systems for combat, evacuation, mine-laying, and transport.
Despite their growing presence, challenges remain—particularly communication disruptions caused by Russian jamming or physical damage to the units. Yabchanka noted that while these robots are not yet a game-changer at scale, his unit is pioneering their use and sharing insights with others.
Ukraine’s defense ministry has recently approved new weaponized robot models, like the D-21-12R with a Browning .50-caliber gun, and the “Burya” grenade launcher turret. Companies both domestic and foreign—like Estonia’s Milrem Robotics—are contributing to the development and deployment of these systems.
The war has highlighted the real battlefield value of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), spurring rapid innovation and international interest. Ukrainian developers are continually refining these systems with frontline feedback, and Yabchanka urged European collaboration, citing Ukraine’s real-time combat experience as a vital resource for future defense strategies.