Operators say Ukraine's ground robots are great combat tools — just not for scouting in the grass

Business Insider

2 days ago

Ukraine is increasingly using ground robots to fight against Russia's invasion.
One function is to gather intelligence, but an operator said they don't excel at this.
The camera can be easily blocked by things like grass.
Ukrainian troops sometimes use ground robots to scout out Russian forces, but an operator says terrain and vegetation can end up making them more trouble than they're worth, especially when flying drones are available.
Ukraine is increasingly using robots for roles like firing on Russian targets, evacuating wounded soldiers, and blowing up nearby Russian positions. Another function is gathering intelligence through the onboard cameras on where Russian troops and equipment are. much like the drones buzzing overhead do.
Oleksandr Yabchanka, the head of the robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told Business Insider that the ground drones play a less significant role in intelligence-gathering compared to the airborne drones.
Drones in the sky have a bigger, wider perspective, and they are often far above the ground, allowing them to better avoid obstacles. The ground robots' cameras let a user see the battlefield as well, but it's from the perspective of something that might only be a couple of feet off the ground.
The problem is that "once you get into the grass, you can't see anything," Yabchanka said. Tall grass, overgrown fields, and other vegetation aren't the only challenges, though.
Ukraine's winters are harsh, and grass is often be replaced by mud and snow that can leave its ground robots, like other vehicles, exposed to Russia's eyes in the sky and potential drone strikes. The US Army recently opted to abandon its Robotic Combat Vehicle program amid some of these concerns.
Yabchanka described the role that ground robots can play in gathering intelligence as "just kind of a crummy, very, very tiny role."
He said that the robots can sometimes spot Russian assets that are hidden in the trees and can't be easily seen by drones in the sky. But he called cases like those "an exception."
A growing robot army
The ground robots that Ukraine is using range from huge machines that can carry humans to smaller ones that can sneak up on Russian positions. They offer Ukraine's smaller army options as it battles Russia's invasion.
Like other uncrewed systems, though, there are limitations. When ground robots are used to evacuate wounded soldiers, for example, these systems can sometimes get disconnected due to a fault or Russian jamming, creating "an even worse situation" for the soldier that may have been holed up somewhere. Now they're exposed, Yabchanka said. Instead of being with any of their comrades, "they are in the middle of a field."
The drawbacks aside, these drones bring real benefits as well. Yabchanka said that they are good at carrying heavy gear. For attacks, they can carry far more explosives than the airborne drones, they carry heavy weaponry for combat, and they can also lay mines faster and safer than a human can. The small ones, in particular, can infiltrate Russian bunkers and other positions, accessing places other equipment and humans simply can't reach.
They can be equipped with weapons like grenades and machine guns for fire on Russian targets while Ukraine's soldiers stay safe.
And in carrying out these missions, the ground robots can still collect intelligence, even if that's not the primary function.
An improving technology
Battlefield utility for ground robots could improve further as the tech continues growing and adapting. Iterative development is moving quickly as the tech is tested in the field.
Many Ukrainian and Western companies are making ground combat robots for the fight, innovating constantly based on how they are performing in battle.
Yabchanka said consistent innovation is necessary for this fight, as "what was up to date and relevant half a year ago is not up to date and relevant anymore."
He said things move so fast that soldiers themselves are upgrading the robots on the front lines, making changes to how the robots are set up or attaching new types of weaponry or talking to the manufacturers by phone to make requests for future changes to the robots.
Ukraine's soldiers are increasingly finding new ways to use the robots, even in ways that surprise manufacturers.
More and more of these drones are entering the fight, with the ground beginning to mirror the situation in the sky. Aerial drones are being used far more in this war than in any other conflict in history, and most of Russia's front-line losses are caused by drones. There are often so many drones in the sky that soldiers cannot tell which side any belong to. And now drone warfare is expanding.
Ground robots are not entirely new to warfare, but the scale and variety of uses in Ukraine is marking a new era for the machines. Many of the robots use AI, allowing Ukrainian soldiers to stay in safer positions while the robots, to a certain extent, operate with a degree of autonomy.
Western militaries and industries are also developing ground robots for their own arsenals, with many countries watching the war for lessons in modern warfare amid the growing warnings Russia could attack beyond Ukraine.
Russia, too, is developing ground combat robots and using the systems in Ukraine.
Yabchanka said that he wanted European industry to work closely with Ukraine, given its firsthand experience. He said that "whatever is required on our end is at your service." He said that while Ukraine has experience, Europe has "more resources than Russia," so deepening cooperation is a win-win.
He urged European industry and leaders to further deepen their increasing collaboration with Ukraine. "The manufacturers, developers, and military personnel all stand ready for cooperation. Just come along; we'll deliver training and whatever else is necessary."