Ukraine’s Robot Army Is Now Running 7,000 Missions a Month

The number of operations involving unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs)—ground drones—in Ukraine is steadily increasing. Until recently, they were deployed only dozens of times per month. In 2026, that number surpassed 7,000 operations. For UNITED24 Media, the team behind the Ukrainian defense tech initiative Brave1 compiled operational statistics illustrating this rapid growth:

• November — 2,931

• December — 5,251

• January — 7,495

Logistics, evacuation, and combat

The majority of these operations are logistical. As the kill zone has expanded 10–20 kilometers deep along the front line, the traditional use of armored vehicles or pickup trucks has become complicated—and often impossible. Robots can deliver weapons, ammunition, and even food to troop positions. Ground platforms can carry payloads of dozens of kilograms across varied terrain, making them well-suited for such missions.

Ukrainian soldiers also use ground drones to transport FPV drones closer to the Russian positions, effectively turning them into mobile launch platforms.

Another category of missions is evacuation. Due to restrictions on vehicle use, ground robotic systems are particularly well-suited for evacuating severely wounded soldiers who cannot independently cover distances of 5–10 kilometers. Dozens of such missions are carried out each month.

Finally, robots are being used to fight—in the literal sense of the word. Robotic turrets can transform ground platforms into fully capable assault or defensive systems. Previously, our team described the first robot-only assault in history, carried out with the participation of the Khartiia Brigade.

UGV production

Before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, there were zero companies in Ukraine producing ground robotic systems. Such equipment was neither used nor seriously considered. However, the intensity of the full-scale invasion and the imbalance of forces spurred rapid development in the sector.

As of today, more than 200 companies in Ukraine manufacture ground robotic platforms, and more than 500 products have been tested on the Brave1 platform. The Brave1 marketplace currently features 162 different products.

In Ukraine, the military can order weapons through the Brave Market platform using a special scoring system known as ePoints. In just the first two months of 2026, more ground robots were ordered than in all of 2025: 323 units compared to 249. Demand is growing.

This also demonstrates how quickly Ukraine is deploying and integrating new technologies in its war against Russia—using drones and robots where Moscow sends people to their deaths.

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