Ukraine has rapidly intensified the use of unmanned ground vehicles on the battlefield, reaching record numbers in 2026. In March alone, more than 9,000 missions were carried out using these systems, according to data from the military platform DELTA.
The growth is significant compared to November 2025, when just over 2,900 operations had been recorded.
Throughout the first quarter of this year, the total volume reached around 24,500 missions, highlighting a strategic shift by Ukrainian forces. The priority has been to reduce soldiers’ exposure on the front line by transferring high-risk tasks to machines, especially in more vulnerable areas under constant threat of surveillance and attacks.
These robotic vehicles already perform essential roles such as transporting ammunition, delivering supplies, and evacuating the wounded. With advancing technology and expanded use across military units — which increased from 67 to 167 in just a few months — tasks that were once extremely dangerous are now being carried out remotely.
In addition, the use of these systems is integrated into a performance-based reward model. Units accumulate points for completed missions and can exchange them for new equipment, strengthening the cycle of military innovation. The rise of ground robots reinforces a clear trend: automation is transforming not only combat, but also logistics and support in modern warfare.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @Maks_NAFO_FELLA | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇺🇦 In 2025, the defense technology market in Ukraine reached approximately $6.8 billion, with the most dynamic growth demonstrated by the segment of ground robotic complexes.
This is stated in a joint study by the Kyiv School of Economics, Brave1 and Defence Builder.
The total… pic.twitter.com/5Rdlvmt2gY
— MAKS 25 🇺🇦👀 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) April 2, 2026
