Get you up to speed: Ukraine claims to capture Russian positions using unmanned systems for the first time
Ukrainian forces have taken control of Russian troop positions using only unmanned systems, marking the first time this has occurred in the conflict, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The number of units employing robotic systems has increased from 67 in late 2025 to 167 by spring 2026.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian forces have captured a Russian position exclusively using unmanned systems, marking a significant development in warfare technology. Additionally, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, reported a 50% increase in the deployment of robotic units in March compared to the previous month.
Ukrainian forces are increasing the deployment of unmanned systems, with the number of units using such technology rising from 67 in late 2025 to 167 by spring 2026. President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted that more than 22,000 missions have been completed by robotic systems over the past three months, emphasising the reduction of risks to personnel.
Ukraine captures Russian posts ‘with only drones and droids’ | News World
Some of Ukraine’s force of ground robots, equipped with machine guns (Picture: DevDroid/Cover Media)
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.’
President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of some of Ukraine’s unmanned weapons systems (Picture: Office of the President of Ukraine/Cover Media)
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.’
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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 robotic vehicles can adapt to the terrain and have been increasingly used in the hard-fought war with Russia (Picture: DevDroid/Cover Media)
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.
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