Real Robot Wars: Ukraine captures Russian posts ‘with only drones and droids’

Ukrainian forces claim to have achieved a first in warfare – taking control of Russian troop positions using only drones and ground-based robotic systems.

In a statement, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation marked the first time in the war that an enemy position had been captured entirely by unmanned platforms.

‘For the first time in the history of this war, an enemy position was taken exclusively by unmanned systems – UGVs and drones,’ he said.

‘The occupiers surrendered, and the operation was carried out without infantry involvement and without losses on our side.’

Zelensky said the use of such technology reflects a broader effort to reduce risks to personnel in high-threat areas. He added that a range of robotic systems had carried out more than 22,000 missions over the past three months.

“In other words, lives were saved more than 22,000 times – a robot entered the most dangerous areas instead of a soldier,” he said. “This is about high technology in defence of the highest value – human life.’

The development comes amid a wider increase in the use of unmanned systems by Ukraine’s armed forces.

Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, recently reported a sharp rise in their deployment, with robotic units carrying out 50% more tasks in March than in the previous month.

The number of units employing such systems has also increased significantly, rising from 67 in late 2025 to 167 by spring 2026, as Ukraine continues to expand its use of unmanned platforms in frontline operations.

Among the machines deployed include the Droid TW-7.62, a reconnaissance and strike unmanned ground system designed to carry a KT-7.62 machine gun.

The platform includes a ballistic computer intended to improve accuracy and incorporates elements of artificial intelligence capable of detecting, tracking and engaging targets.

In January 2026, DevDroid said a Droid TW-7.62 mounted on the NUMO robotic platform captured three Russian soldiers during a separate operation.