Ukraine Uses Ground Robots in Operation Vivaldi Against Russian Forces

By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Kyiv
Sep 28, 2026
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Ukraine has placed unmanned ground vehicles at the centre of a major battlefield operation in Donetsk, using explosive-carrying robots and heavy drones in an effort to strike Russian positions while reducing the exposure of Ukrainian troops.

The development comes as military technology increasingly changes the way the Russia-Ukraine war is being fought. Ukraine's Third Army Corps says its Operation Vivaldi involved thousands of missions by robotic systems and drones, including a reported first-of-its-kind deployment in which heavy bomber drones carried ground robots deep behind Russian lines.

According to Ukrainian military claims cited in recent reports, the operation began in May 2026 and has involved more than 15,700 missions. Ukrainian forces have also reported significant territorial gains in the Donetsk region during the campaign. The reported figure of about 3,000 Russian casualties has been attributed to Ukrainian sources and should therefore be treated as a battlefield claim rather than an independently verified casualty count.

How Ukraine Used Drones to Deliver Ground Robots

One of the most notable elements of Operation Vivaldi was the combination of aerial and ground-based unmanned systems.

Heavy drones were reportedly used to transport unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) more than 10 kilometres behind Russian positions before releasing them. Once deployed, the ground robots could move toward designated targets without requiring Ukrainian soldiers to physically enter the same area.

The robotic vehicles can be fitted with cameras and explosive payloads. Their remote operators can monitor the surroundings and control their movement from a safer location.

The systems have reportedly been used for a range of battlefield functions, including attacks on Russian positions, mine-clearing operations, logistics and other high-risk missions. Independent reporting has also described Ukrainian ground robots being used to clear routes ahead of advancing troops.

Operation Vivaldi Marks a New Phase in Robotic Warfare

The use of drones to place armed ground robots behind enemy lines is significant because it combines two previously separate categories of unmanned warfare.

Aerial drones can travel rapidly across difficult terrain, while ground robots can subsequently operate close to the battlefield surface. Together, the systems can allow military units to conduct reconnaissance, transport supplies, clear mines or attack selected positions without immediately exposing personnel.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps has described its deployment as a world-first combat use of this type of airborne delivery of ground robots. Reports say the systems were used during the wider Operation Vivaldi campaign in Donetsk.

The battlefield use of robots is not limited to explosive attacks. Ukrainian forces have also used unmanned ground vehicles for mine clearance and supply missions, demonstrating how robotics can support troops beyond direct combat.

What Are Kamikaze Ground Robots?

Kamikaze ground robots are remotely operated unmanned vehicles designed to carry an explosive charge toward a selected target.

An operator can control the vehicle through a remote connection while using cameras or other sensors to understand its surroundings. If the robot reaches its intended target, its explosive payload can be detonated.

The main military advantage is that the machine can undertake a dangerous task without placing a soldier directly beside the target.

However, describing these systems simply as autonomous “robot soldiers” can be misleading. Many battlefield robots currently being used remain dependent on human operators for navigation, target identification and engagement decisions.

Ukraine Wants an 'Army of Robots'

Ukraine's push toward battlefield robotics is also expanding beyond the systems already being used in combat.

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced an initiative called “Army of Robots” on September 26, 2026. The project is intended to build a broader defence-technology ecosystem focused on robotic systems and physical artificial intelligence.

Fedorov has outlined a future in which machines undertake some of the most dangerous duties currently assigned to soldiers. These include carrying ammunition, evacuating wounded personnel, reconnaissance, mine-related operations and other frontline tasks.

The initiative also places considerable emphasis on humanoid robots. Fedorov has discussed machines capable of performing practical tasks such as reloading weapons, changing batteries and installing sensors.

The concept is still largely developmental. Recent reporting noted that several humanoid and other robotic designs shown in promotional material are concept imagery rather than combat robots already deployed on the battlefield.

From Drones to Ground Robots

Ukraine's development of ground robotics follows the country's extensive wartime use of unmanned aerial systems.

The experience gained from deploying drones for reconnaissance, targeting and strikes is now being applied to ground-based systems. The objective is to place machines between human soldiers and some of the most dangerous battlefield environments.

The transition is particularly important because ground robots can perform functions that aerial drones cannot easily accomplish, including carrying heavy loads, travelling along roads and tracks, clearing mines and remaining on the ground for extended periods.

Ukraine is therefore developing an increasingly integrated battlefield network involving drones, unmanned ground vehicles, artificial intelligence and remote operators.

Russia, China, Israel and India Are Also Developing Military Robots

Ukraine is not the only country investing in military robotics.

Russia, China and Israel have also been developing unmanned ground platforms for military applications. These systems can potentially be used for logistics, reconnaissance, weapons deployment and other hazardous missions.

India is also pursuing similar technology through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other defence institutions.

Among India's unmanned systems is the Exploder, a robotic vehicle designed to operate across difficult terrain and support surveillance and hazardous operations involving explosives.

The growing interest from multiple countries indicates that unmanned ground vehicles are becoming an important component of modern military technology.

Robots Could Change the Battlefield

The development of combat robots does not mean human soldiers are immediately disappearing from the battlefield. Instead, current deployments show a gradual shift toward using machines for tasks where the risk to personnel is particularly high.

Operation Vivaldi provides a prominent example of this changing approach. Ukraine's reported combination of heavy drones, explosive ground robots and mine-clearing machines demonstrates how different unmanned platforms can be integrated into a single military operation.

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the use of unmanned ground vehicles could expand further. The technology may increasingly be used not only for attacks but also for logistics, surveillance, casualty evacuation, engineering work and mine clearance.

For Ukraine, the wider goal is to make machines perform more of the dangerous work while keeping soldiers farther away from direct battlefield threats.

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