Ukraine is planning to replace around one third of its frontline troops with unmanned “killer robots” known as “Hyenas”, which will move towards Russian enemy lines carrying explosives in an effort to attack enemy hideouts and stop advances.
Workshops manufacturing the robots, run by Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, have sprung up all over the country as the Ukrainian army attempts to gain a technological advantage against Russia.
Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are an essential new part of Ukraine’s war strategy as they work to preserve the lives of soldiers on a battlefield.
Expanding Unmanned Systems Across Army Units
Most Ukrainian brigades and army regiments currently have unmanned systems units at their disposal, which are now being expanded to include ground unmanned vehicles.
Brigadier General Andriy Bilecki, commander of the Third Army Corps, said the gradual replacement of humans with machinery is the next “revolution” in modern warfare.
The corps, which is one of Ukraine’s most elite army divisions, is aiming to replace around one third of its frontline soldiers with these systems by the end of 2026.
Bilecki explained: “The West has in many ways slept through the drone revolution. If the West really wants to not only keep up with the times but also be a little ahead, it really needs to think about the next revolution.”
Advantages of Ground Robots Over Aerial Drones
While aerial drones dominate the sky and have been an essential component of the war against Russia, ground robots are less visible – but no less crucial.
They are more difficult to spot and destroy than vehicles with combustion engines because their electric engines make them much less susceptible to thermal detection.
Their battery life is also longer than that of aerial drones. Their payload is much heavier and bulkier as well, and the explosive capabilities of the kamikaze robot is significantly bigger.
Historic First Ground Robot Victory
In April, for the first time in warfare history, two ground robots captured a Russian position in the northeast region of Kharkiv. The first robot blew up the entrance into a bunker while the second blocked it and revealed its operators – two Russian soldiers with a surrender note.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said of the operation: “The future is already on the front line, and Ukraine is building it.”