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After Drones, Ukraine Orders 50,000 Ground Robots to Reshape the Battlefield
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Ukraine is planning a major expansion of its unmanned ground vehicle fleet, with at least 50,000 systems expected to be contracted in 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening address on April 27.
He described ground-based robotic systems as the next critical step in modernizing Ukraine’s defense capabilities, following the widespread integration of drones into battlefield operations.
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“This is the next big step in protecting our state, one that truly impacts the situation after the transition to drones has already taken place. It is now impossible to imagine defense without drones — and the same will be true for unmanned ground systems. Production and supply volumes must be increased,” Zelenskyy said.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov previously outlined plans to contract 25,000 unmanned ground vehicles in the first half of 2026 alone—double the total number procured throughout 2025.
Ukraine always expresses its gratitude and always remembers clearly who supported us and how after this war began. But it is equally important, especially for Europe, that all partners remember that Ukraine is defending not only itself in this war. Russia wants our territory so… pic.twitter.com/Z6CzerAjSx
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 27, 2026
“These systems are currently one of the most urgent needs of our Defense Forces, and production and supply must keep pace with demand,” Zelenskyy said in a separate statement.
“25,000 UGVs have already been contracted – twice as many as last year – and this is only the starting point; the number will be increased significantly, and contracting is ongoing.”
According to the minister, the robotic systems are already playing a growing role on the battlefield, particularly in logistics and casualty evacuation missions. In March alone, they carried out more than 9,000 operations.
To support the expansion, Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency had signed 19 contracts worth 11 billion hryvnias (about $270 million) with manufacturers as of mid-April.
Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of maintaining steady deliveries of air defense interceptors, particularly for countering ballistic missile threats, and called for progress on both international agreements and domestic solutions.
“It is important that in May, deliveries are no less than what has already been committed by partners – this is a direct task for our diplomats and military command,” he said.
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The President added that intelligence reports indicate a growing strain on Russia’s economy, despite attempts by the Russian leadership to offset wartime pressures through external developments.
“We are observing a significant deterioration in key indicators and noticeable losses in Russian exports,” Zelenskyy said. “We will continue our pressure on the aggressor.”
Earlier, a ground-based robotic system operated by Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps evacuated a 77-year-old woman from the Lyman direction. The woman had attempted to flee the dangerous area on her own, moving past shell craters and the bodies of fallen villagers.
The evacuation was carried out by soldiers from the Cerberus unmanned ground systems unit. To avoid frightening the woman, the robotic platform was covered with a blanket bearing the message: “Grandma, get on!”
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-314eac351277e521c9bf4a803e535f98.png "Ukrainian Drones Hit Russia’s Tuapse Oil Refinery Again, First Evacuations Declared After Massive Fire")
