Ukraine’s 25th Airborne Brigade moves ground robots from testing to combat
The brigade is now using the machines for supply, evacuation and fire missions across its units.
In an interview with Army Inform, Colonel Illia Petryna, commander of the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade, revealed that the brigade has transitioned ground robots from testing to combat. The company was initially established as a pilot unit to evaluate the feasibility of using these systems in real combat scenarios. Today, the robots serve various purposes on the battlefield.
Some carry supplies, while others are deployed for evacuation or provide fire support. This shift in usage is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to create dedicated units centered around ground robots.
In February 2025, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry announced the formation of units dedicated to unmanned ground systems, following initial testing that commenced in the summer of 2024. These systems were already being utilized for logistics, fire strikes, and evacuating wounded soldiers. By March 2026, 167 units were employing ground robots, a significant increase from 67 in November 2025.
Over 9,000 combat and logistical missions were carried out using unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that month, according to the Defense Ministry.
Petryna emphasized the importance of direct communication with manufacturers, stating that cooperation with them is crucial. He explained, "Cooperation with manufacturers is the basis. They draw information from us about what is needed now, what is relevant at the front." This feedback loop between the battlefield and the companies developing the technology allows for constant adaptation of the robots to the evolving conditions of the war.
The commander highlighted the dynamic nature of modern warfare, noting that no existing statutes could effectively capture the current state of the conflict. He remarked, "Probably, right now, no statute in the world fits how this war is being fought. The war has changed fundamentally." For the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade, the robotic company represents an essential mechanism for staying abreast of these changes and continually improving their capabilities.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
