Latest news with #Yabchanka
Business Insider
12-08-2025
- Business Insider
Operators say Ukraine's ground robots are great combat tools — just not for scouting in the grass
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."
Business Insider
27-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Ukraine is using this company's ground robots in ways it didn't quite expect
A company that makes ground robots to defend against Russia said that Ukrainian soldiers have been using its technology in ways they were not expecting. Kuldar Väärsi, the founder and CEO of Estonian company Milrem Robotics, told Business Insider that "Ukrainian troops are really creative, and they really find very simple ways how to get even more out of the equipment," including adding and attaching things to Milrem's robots. The company makes autonomous ground robots that can gather intelligence, evacuate wounded soldiers, dispose of explosive devices, and fire weaponry like machine guns. He said that it makes sense that Ukraine's soldiers are finding ways to adapt. "If you give a tool to a soldier, then he will use it as it seems most appropriate," Väärsi said. For the Ukrainian troops, "it is literally a question of life and death," so they are motivated to use the equipment "in the best possible manner." He could not give many details due to security concerns, "but the creativity of Ukrainian troops is really admirable," he said. The company's THeMIS model is being used in Ukraine as part of the fight against Russia's invasion. The robotic vehicle can carry a payload of up to 2,645.5 pounds and travel at up to 12 miles per hour. It can be fitted with a variety of weapons and used to clear mines, carry cargo, and move out injured troops. The remotely controlled robots can use AI for navigation, carry much more equipment than humans can, and get a lot closer to Russian positions than many soldiers would want to. Ground robots are becoming increasingly Yabchanka, head of the robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told Business Insider that his unit also uses robots to lay mines, collect bodies, and explode near Russian targets. Robots are being made both inside and outside Ukraine and come with a lot of flexibility in how they're used. Most models are designed to be used in different configurations or with different weaponry, like using machine guns or grenade launchers, up top. "The ground robotized systems are Lego sets," Yabchanka said, explaining that his unit does not have different robots available for different mission sets. "We all remember Lego. We were growing up together with those kits," he said. Innovation in battle Throughout the war, the Ukrainians have repeatedly modified and tweaked Western and Soviet-era weaponry, as well as invented new types, and used them in unexpected ways throughout Russia's invasion. They've mounted old guns on trucks to stop Russian attacks, turned trucks into makeshift rocket artillery, transformed small, cheap commercial drones into strike weapons and surveillance tools, built cages for tanks to protect them from attacks, adapted Western missiles to make them suitable for Soviet-designed jets, adapted anti-ship cruise missiles for land-attack missions, and worked with the US to make "Frankenstein"-style air defense weapons out Western surface-to-air missiles and Soviet-designed launchers. It has also pioneered new weapon types with its growing defense industry, like drone boats and AI-enabled gun turrets. Milrem Robotics is just one of the companies making the robots that are being used in Ukraine. In Ukraine, companies in the space include Roboneers and FRDM, while companies like Germany's ARX Robotics and Czechia's Isolit-Bravo are also working with Ukraine to build robotic systems. It's a technology that Russia is also embracing. Väärsi said the war in Ukraine has justified the company's bet on the technology. Milrem Robotics was founded in 2013, but Väärsi said that before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, there were doubts about the tech even as people recognized that there were opportunities in defense. This war "has demonstrated that unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield," he said. Robots have been used by the West in previous conflicts, but not at this scale. The intensity of this war has pushed new innovation and investments. It is something that is far from being used by every unit in Ukraine, but it's largely seen as something that's worth pushing for a Ukrainian military that's fighting against a Russian military that has a lot more troops and more weapons. Väärsi said that, at least for now, the goal for his company's robots is supporting Ukraine's soldiers and keeping them safe rather than replacing them altogether. He said that soldiers can "use the unmanned systems as a first line of defense or offense" and don't need to push troops to the front. An Estonian, Väärsi said he is motivated to help Ukraine. Estonia is beside Russia and was part of the Soviet Union until 1991. The country is one of Ukraine's biggest partners, is part of the EU and NATO, and is one of the countries warning loudly that Russia could attack elsewhere in Europe. "It's our mission to support Ukraine as much as we can, to help them win this war. And even if it's as little as sending our vehicles, then we should certainly do it," Väärsi said. Väärsi said Europe needs to adapt based on what it's seeing in Ukraine to be ready if necessary. "What I consider very important is that in Europe we need to learn and very seriously learn what is ongoing in Ukraine: what works, what doesn't work, what mindsets need to be shifted to be better equipped if — hopefully that never happens — but if Russia decides to expand their activities in the warfare." He said it is important for Western defense companies to have their technology in Ukraine to learn how it performs on the battlefield. His company has made changes to its products as a result of lessons learned. The company regularly visits Ukraine and works directly with operators and is now taking that a step further with plans for a new team based in Ukraine to "be closer to Ukrainian forces and to support them even better," he said.
India.com
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Indian Defence Planners, Take Note! Ukraine Now Using Rifle-Wielding Robots To Battle Russia
New Delhi: While most armies are still figuring out how to use drones effectively, Ukraine has already moved to the next frontier – remote-controlled ground robots that carry rifles, hurl grenades and take the fight to Russian trenches without risking a single soldier's life. In what sounds straight out of a sci-fi thriller, Ukrainian soldiers are now deploying weaponised robots in combat zones to take on Russian forces head-on. These are not the humanoid machines of Hollywood dreams, but something far more practical and real. Mounted on wheels or tracks, some look like tripods with guns, while others are miniature tanks with automated grenade launchers strapped to their backs. Oleksandr Yabchanka, the head of robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, called the tech a 'game changer' for soldiers in the field. Business Insider has quoted him as saying that even the bravest infantry cannot keep firing under intense shelling but these robots can. Indian defence planners, take note. While India debates the use of quadcopters and kamikaze drones, Ukraine has leapt ahead – fielding an evolving arsenal of ground-based killer bots. And they are not prototypes sitting in hangars, these machines are being tested, refined and modified live on the battlefield. Yabchanka draws a wild comparison that makes the tech sound even more insane. He likens Ukraine's grenade-launching bots to the iconic weapon wielded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, saying, 'They are somewhat similar, but slightly better.' One such killer bot is the Burya – a remote grenade-launching turret that can be mounted on a tripod or a small vehicle. Another recent addition is the D-21-12R, an indigenous robotic beast equipped with a US-made Browning .50 caliber machine gun. Approved in April by Ukraine's defence ministry, this machine could give nightmares to any enemy squad. But there is a catch. These war machines still face technical limitations. Russian jamming and direct hits can knock them offline – turning them into nothing more than expensive scrap metal. That is one reason why they have not so far been deployed in large numbers, though their battlefield effectiveness continues to improve. Lessons for India Ukraine's wartime innovation lab is like no other. Companies from Ukraine, Estonia and beyond are in a technological race to outsmart Russian forces. Estonian firm Milrem Robotics, for instance, has already supplied its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles to Ukraine. These rugged bots can haul supplies or launch attacks where human soldiers cannot go. Back home, this is a wake-up call. With India facing regular border stand-offs, especially with Pakistan and China, and gearing up for future conflicts in extreme terrains, why are not ground robots part of the military doctrine yet? Ukraine's battlefield data, gathered in real-time, proves that these robots are not sci-fi, they are survival tech. Yabchanka, who regularly liaises with developers from the frontlines, says the feedback loop between soldiers and engineers has become a major strength for Ukraine. 'What was relevant six months ago is already outdated,' he told the publication, stressing that Europe and the West must co-develop with Ukraine. As Ukraine continues to weaponise AI and automation, the question is no longer if but when countries like India will follow suit. Will Indian troops someday be supported by robotic gun crews on the icy heights of Ladakh or the dense jungles of the Northeast? If the Ukraine war is any indication, the next battle will not only be fought with muscle but with machines as well. And they have already started pulling the trigger.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's soldiers are giving robots guns and grenade launchers to fire at the Russians in ways even 'the bravest infantry' can't
Ukrainian soldiers are letting robots fire on the Russians, allowing them to stay further from danger. The robot can do things that can't be done "even by the bravest infantry," a soldier told BI. These ground robots can fire at the enemy from entrenched positions or on the move. Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly arming ground robots with rifles and other weapons, letting them fire at the Russians rather than putting themselves in harm's way. The robots are part of Ukraine's ongoing innovation race with Russia, a rush to develop new technology to fight back against Russia's invasion before the enemy can. Oleksandr Yabchanka, the head of the robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told Business Insider that the value in these robots is that they can do the things that even Ukraine's most courageous soldiers cannot. Ukraine has long been pumping out aerial drones, and now an increasing number of companies in Ukraine and in partner nations are working on ground robots that can evacuate the wounded, transport and lay mines, explode in Russian positions, and even fire weapons at Russian targets. The tech isn't new to the war, but it's becoming more prolific. Used widely, this growing technology could be a significant boost for Ukraine; its population and military remain much smaller than Russia's, and it deals with inconsistent support from its international partners regularly. But Russia is working on the tech, too. The Ukrainian robots that shoot take different forms: some robots are fixed and look like a gun on stilts (effectively a turret), and then there are others that can move around, resembling a machine gun on top of a wheeled robot. When Ukraine's soldiers are in reinforced positions, like a trench, they typically have a gun post from which they fire machine guns and other weapons. The soldiers operating those weapons are extremely vulnerable to return fire, so gun crews take them in shifts. Russian soldiers see "where the fire is coming from," Yabchanka said of the Russians, and they attack the gun position with artillery, drones, or grenade launchers. With more robots, drones, and automated systems on the battlefield, soldiers can now have "exactly the same setting but with a robot there" instead of a human being that can be killed or injured. The soldier controls the robot, and the robot "can now do things that couldn't have been done before. Even by the bravest infantry people." For instance, it can continue firing even amid targeted enemy counterfire. He said that when most people picture a firing robot, they picture the Terminator from the films of the same name. Yabchanka said that the Ukrainians are getting the same combat capabilities without a bipedal robot with arms and legs. It is a remote-controlled turret, and it's effective. He said some of the robots are also automated grenade launchers rather than machine guns. He described them as "somewhat similar" to the handheld grenade launcher that Arnold Schwarzenegger had in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" but "slightly better." Ukraine's grenade-launching robots include the "Burya" model from Ukrainian company Frontline, which builds a remote grenade launcher turret that can be mounted on a tracked vehicle or a tripod. Ukraine is increasingly investing in mobile robots with weapons on board. Ukraine's defense ministry in April, for example, approved the use of the domestically made D-21-12R ground robotic complex, which is equipped with the US-made Browning .50-caliber machine gun. But Yabchanka shared that mobile firing robots are not being used at scale yet. They are "not yet working in a way that would have a massive effect along the touchline." Part of the reason their use is still limited is how hard it can be to keep the robots connected. Russian jamming or a physical attack on a moving robot could mean Ukraine loses the ability to control it, so it just becomes "an expensive pile of metal scrap." Ukraine is employing its robots in a growing number of ways, but Yabchanka described the firing function as "most complex in terms of implementation." Other functions like casualty evac are less complicated, though they're not without their own challenges and complexities when it comes to battlefield use. Robots are being used more and more, but not all units have access to them or use them in large numbers. Yabchanka said his unit has been "pioneering" in using the robots and that its pilots "share those experiences with other units." Again, the technology isn't new, but there is a growing realization that the tech, from robot dogs to crewless tracked vehicles, has potential. Many Western nations have been drawing lessons from the Ukraine war, and ground robots, which are also known as ground drones or uncrewed ground vehicles, are systems that countries are thinking carefully about. Ukrainian companies are innovating quickly, working in wartime conditions with a Ukrainian government that is supportive even with limited funds and many companies and types of technology to choose from. Many Western companies are making them, too, and some of them have products that are being used in Ukraine. Estonian robotic vehicle manufacturer Milrem Robotics, for instance, has its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Ukraine. Kuldar Väärsi, the company's CEO, told BI in May that the robots support Ukraine's military by going to the "positions where they don't want to send their troops" for attacks and for other functions like carrying equipment. He said that before companies like his were in Ukraine, "quite a lot of people were talking about unmanned ground vehicles in defense. But all that was very experimental and lots of doubts around it." While there are still some doubts and concerns about these systems, there is a recognition that UGVs have value. But he said this war has demonstrated that "unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield." Yabchanka said that in Ukraine, the robots are being constantly refined and modified, with soldiers making changes out on the front lines. They are in constant contact with Ukrainian developers about issues and updates they recommend. He urged Europe to work closely with Ukraine to develop its technology, as many officials in Europe warn that Russia may attack elsewhere on the continent. He said working with Ukrainian expertise is useful because they have real-time data, and "what was up to date and relevant half a year ago is not up to date and relevant anymore." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Ukraine's soldiers are giving robots guns and grenade launchers to fire at the Russians in ways even 'the bravest infantry' can't
Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly arming ground robots with rifles and other weapons, letting them fire at the Russians rather than putting themselves in harm's way. The robots are part of Ukraine's ongoing innovation race with Russia, a rush to develop new technology to fight back against Russia's invasion before the enemy can. Oleksandr Yabchanka, the head of the robotic systems for Ukraine's Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, told Business Insider that the value in these robots is that they can do the things that even Ukraine's most courageous soldiers cannot. Ukraine has long been pumping out aerial drones, and now an increasing number of companies in Ukraine and in partner nations are working on ground robots that can evacuate the wounded, transport and lay mines, explode in Russian positions, and even fire weapons at Russian targets. The tech isn't new to the war, but it's becoming more prolific. Used widely, this growing technology could be a significant boost for Ukraine; its population and military remain much smaller than Russia's, and it deals with inconsistent support from its international partners regularly. But Russia is working on the tech, too. The Ukrainian robots that shoot take different forms: some robots are fixed and look like a gun on stilts (effectively a turret), and then there are others that can move around, resembling a machine gun on top of a wheeled robot. Firing on the Russians When Ukraine's soldiers are in reinforced positions, like a trench, they typically have a gun post from which they fire machine guns and other weapons. The soldiers operating those weapons are extremely vulnerable to return fire, so gun crews take them in shifts. Russian soldiers see "where the fire is coming from," Yabchanka said of the Russians, and they attack the gun position with artillery, drones, or grenade launchers. With more robots, drones, and automated systems on the battlefield, soldiers can now have "exactly the same setting but with a robot there" instead of a human being that can be killed or injured. The soldier controls the robot, and the robot "can now do things that couldn't have been done before. Even by the bravest infantry people." For instance, it can continue firing even amid targeted enemy counterfire. He said that when most people picture a firing robot, they picture the Terminator from the films of the same name. Yabchanka said that the Ukrainians are getting the same combat capabilities without a bipedal robot with arms and legs. It is a remote-controlled turret, and it's effective. He said some of the robots are also automated grenade launchers rather than machine guns. He described them as "somewhat similar" to the handheld grenade launcher that Arnold Schwarzenegger had in "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" but "slightly better." Ukraine's grenade-launching robots include the "Burya" model from Ukrainian company Frontline, which builds a remote grenade launcher turret that can be mounted on a tracked vehicle or a tripod. Ukraine is increasingly investing in mobile robots with weapons on board. Ukraine's defense ministry in April, for example, approved the use of the domestically made D-21-12R ground robotic complex, which is equipped with theUS-made Browning .50-caliber machine gun. But Yabchanka shared that mobile firing robots are not being used at scale yet. They are "not yet working in a way that would have a massive effect along the touchline." Part of the reason their use is still limited is how hard it can be to keep the robots connected. Russian jamming or a physical attack on a moving robot could mean Ukraine loses the ability to control it, so it just becomes "an expensive pile of metal scrap." Ukraine's robots Ukraine is employing its robots in a growing number of ways, but Yabchanka described the firing function as "most complex in terms of implementation." Other functions like casualty evac are less complicated, though they're not without their own challenges and complexities when it comes to battlefield use. Robots are being used more and more, but not all units have access to them or use them in large numbers. Yabchanka said his unit has been "pioneering" in using the robots and that its pilots "share those experiences with other units." Again, the technology isn't new, but there is a growing realization that the tech, from robot dogs to crewless tracked vehicles, has potential. Many Western nations have been drawing lessons from the Ukraine war, and ground robots, which are also known as ground drones or uncrewed ground vehicles, are systems that countries are thinking carefully about. Ukrainian companies are innovating quickly, working in wartime conditions with a Ukrainian government that is supportive even with limited funds and many companies and types of technology to choose from. Many Western companies are making them, too, and some of them have products that are being used in Ukraine. Estonian robotic vehicle manufacturer Milrem Robotics, for instance, has its THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Ukraine. Kuldar Väärsi, the company's CEO, told BI in May that the robots support Ukraine's military by going to the "positions where they don't want to send their troops" for attacks and for other functions like carrying equipment. He said that before companies like his were in Ukraine, "quite a lot of people were talking about unmanned ground vehicles in defense. But all that was very experimental and lots of doubts around it." While there are still some doubts and concerns about these systems, there is a recognition that UGVs have value. But he said this war has demonstrated that "unmanned ground vehicles have a really important place on the battlefield." Yabchanka said that in Ukraine, the robots are being constantly refined and modified, with soldiers making changes out on the front lines. They are in constant contact with Ukrainian developers about issues and updates they recommend. He urged Europe to work closely with Ukraine to develop its technology, as many officials in Europe warn that Russia may attack elsewhere on the continent. He said working with Ukrainian expertise is useful because they have real-time data, and "what was up to date and relevant half a year ago is not up to date and relevant anymore."
