War Goes Robotic: The New Face of Land Combat

Servicemen of the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade are adapting ground robotic systems to the evolving realities of the frontline.

Over the past few years, land warfare has undergone a profound transformation.

Advances in reconnaissance and strike UAVs have significantly expanded the “kill zone”—the frontline area under constant fire. This has made concealed troop movement nearly impossible and complicated logistics. At the same time, it has accelerated the development of ground robotic systems (GRS), which are increasingly used for fire support, frontline resupply, and the evacuation of the wounded and fallen—reducing risks to personnel.

GRS are rapidly being integrated into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On January 1, 2026, the first unmanned systems battalion was formed within the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade. However, like any emerging technology, these systems must be adapted to specific operational demands. As a result, personnel spend extensive time at training grounds, testing equipment and refining their skills.

A Ukrinform correspondent observed one of these live-fire training sessions.

50 DAYS TO BUILD CORE SKILLS

Shortly after arriving at the training ground with colleagues from the brigade’s liaison service, an air raid alert was announced, and we immediately moved to a shelter. At that moment, recruits were undergoing basic combined-arms training (BCAT). Even from a distance, applause and laughter could be heard—one of the trainees was being congratulated on his birthday and had even been given a cake.

With the commander’s permission, I spoke with one of the servicemen. Leonid, 30, does not yet have a callsign—he joined the brigade just three weeks ago after applying through a recruitment center. In civilian life, he worked as a long-haul truck driver. At home, his wife and five-year-old son are waiting for him.

“I chose my military specialty myself—I’ll serve as a crew driver in an unmanned systems unit. Right now, we’re undergoing basic combined-arms training. It’s challenging, but I enjoy it. Discipline is well established here; the instructors are demanding yet very patient. If you don’t understand something, they’ll explain it as many times as needed. The food is excellent—meat three times a day, salads, juices, yogurts, and more,” Leonid says.

Leonid

The brigade’s press officer, Iryna Vorontsova, joins the conversation. She explains that newly arrived recruits undergo basic combined-arms training led by professional instructors with combat experience—many of whom have been wounded. Their task is to train a capable and reliable replacement.

The training lasts 50 days, during which recruits are introduced to a wide range of roles and specialties within the brigade, including document management, finance, logistics, and more.

“It’s important to understand,” she notes, “that behind every combat unit stands a network of seven or more support functions responsible for equipping, feeding, arming, and training servicemembers so they are fully prepared for combat. After gaining basic skills, individuals can determine where they are most effective and what suits them best.”

She adds that recruitment pathways also matter: “Those who are drafted after being stopped on the street by the Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center typically have limited choice—they are assigned where manpower shortages are greatest. In contrast, motivated volunteers who apply through recruitment centers have a much broader selection of specialties.”

A STEP TOWARD THE WAR OF THE FUTURE

After the air raid all-clear, we proceed to a training area where servicemen of the unmanned systems battalion are conducting live-fire exercises.

“Our unit is built around a core of personnel who have been serving since 2022,” says the deputy company commander, callsign “Trainer.” “Today, we’re conducting live-fire drills with ground robotic systems to sharpen our skills—specifically, we’re zeroing the weapons mounted on unmanned ground platforms. Our objective is to ensure that this equipment is precisely aligned with the operational needs of a combat unit.”

Calls sign: “Trainer”

He emphasizes that the use of unmanned systems helps save soldiers’ lives. Ground robotic systems can replace personnel in a wide range of combat tasks. The fewer troops operating directly at the tactical edge, the lower the casualties. In addition, evacuation platforms are capable of traversing difficult terrain where conventional vehicles cannot operate.

Before the full-scale invasion, the deputy company commander worked as a professional CrossFit trainer—a discipline combining cardio, gymnastics, and weightlifting. He joined the Territorial Defense on February 25, 2022, understanding that he had to defend his country. His family remains at home; they rarely see each other, and he does not consider demobilization. He says he will serve until the war is over.

At the same time, he admits to a certain frustration that, for many civilians, the war now feels distant or almost nonexistent. He hopes for greater unity and public support—similar to what was seen in 2022.

Oleksandr, callsign “Polieno”

While others prepare for the live-fire exercises, I speak with Oleksandr, callsign “Polieno,” an unmanned ground systems platoon commander within the 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion. According to him, the brigade currently operates several types of ground robotic systems, including “Liut” and “TerMIT,” which his unit is actively using.

“Our reconnaissance-strike ground robotic system, ‘Liut,’ is equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun module, while the multi-purpose ‘TerMIT’ carries a 40 mm grenade launcher. Our task today is to achieve maximum accuracy using a camera-based sight. Once we master this, we’ll be able to employ these systems effectively for fire support.

In addition, our platoon handles several other tasks, including mine-laying—using ‘TerMIT’ platforms in modified configurations—as well as demining operations, for which we have specialized equipment. These are just the functions within our platoon. Our company also includes fire support and evacuation-logistics platoons. In essence, our ground robotic systems are capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions,” he explains.

Oleksandr is from Mykolaiv and spent 15 years working as a sales manager in civilian life. He has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine since February 26, 2022, and has participated in numerous combat operations. Asked what motivated him to enlist in the earliest days of the war, he responds:

“There was no other choice—the enemy had already reached Kherson. I don’t want them bringing their ‘Russian world’ into my home. I first went to the Territorial Recruitment Center, but they didn’t accept me, so I joined the Territorial Defense.”

The platoon commander notes that unmanned ground systems remain a relatively new and rapidly evolving field. In his view, they are comparable to the early days of machine guns in World War I—when many questioned their effectiveness and criticized their high ammunition consumption. Similar skepticism, he says, can still occasionally be seen today in attitudes toward ground robotic systems.

“But at the same time, there is a growing understanding that ground robotic systems are, on the one hand, complex technological tools requiring specialized skills, and on the other—a new stage in evolution, even compared to familiar strike UAVs such as FPV drones. At the same time, there are many similarities in how these systems are operated. The core of our unit consists of personnel who have already gained combat experience with FPV drones and can compare the two,” my interlocutor explains.

He adds that the use of ground robotic systems has its own operational specifics. While evacuation and logistics platforms can function independently, strike systems are most effective when integrated with other unmanned assets and infantry units. With well-coordinated interaction, the effectiveness of all elements increases significantly—particularly in offensive operations.

“TERMIT” Scores a Direct Hit

As we speak, a loud shot echoes across the range—the team is testing the multi-purpose “TerMIT.” Moments later, approving shouts follow: “Direct hit.” Yet even with solid accuracy, the test firing reveals areas that still require refinement.

Callsign “Vyshnia”

I meet a young serviceman, Mykyta, callsign “Vyshnia” (“Cherry”), a 25-year-old technician in a ground robotic systems platoon. He joined the brigade in the early days of the full-scale invasion, still very young at the time, and has since taken part in combat operations. In civilian life, he worked as an electromechanic—experience that now directly translates into his role modernizing unmanned ground systems.

“The reason is that the systems we receive from manufacturers are not fully adapted to the tasks we face,” he explains. “So we modify them. Most often, we add communication channels—Starlink as the primary link, with an analog backup for redundancy. We also extend operational range by installing additional batteries.”

He adds that many of the systems they work with have already been used in combat. Tracks tend to wear out first, and communication systems often require replacement. The repairs themselves are minor, but frequent.

“For transporting supplies, ammunition, the wounded, and the fallen, we use logistics platforms like the ‘Volia-E.’ They are simple, reliable, and have proven highly effective in real combat conditions,” he says.

Specialists note that modern ground robotic systems already feature sufficiently robust control architectures. As a result, the most effective way for the enemy to counter them is through physical destruction, since electronic warfare suppression has limited impact. These systems operate on multiple communication channels: a primary satellite link and a secondary relay-based backup. This redundancy makes it difficult for the adversary to identify and disrupt their operating frequencies.

HOW TO TRAIN A HIGH-LEVEL DRONE OPERATOR

A ground robotic system becomes a truly effective weapon only in the hands of a well-trained crew. Developing a competent operator is a demanding process, requiring both the right aptitude and the ability to process complex information. According to the platoon commander, candidate selection is based on clearly defined criteria.

“GRS is modern weaponry, and both the approach to it and operator training must be systematic. Without a foundation—for example, in physics—it’s impossible to prepare a high-level operator. The tactical employment of ground robotic systems requires even greater proficiency than operating FPV drones, because it demands precise coordination with other units. Not every experienced UAV operator can meet that standard,” says Oleksandr.

He adds that the requirements vary by role. Operators of logistics platforms must have strong communication skills to coordinate with multiple services and relay movement data clearly and in a timely manner. For strike systems, the complexity of this coordination increases significantly.

Valentyn, callsign “Hruzyn (“Georgian”)

Nearby, another team is working on a different type of remotely operated weapon system. One of them is Valentyn, callsign “Georgian,” who has been serving since February 25, 2022. Before the war, he worked in IT but left a promising career to join the fight. He initially served as an infantryman and reconnaissance soldier before transferring to a reconnaissance and strike drone unit.

He has defended Mykolaiv and fought across multiple sectors, including Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson.

“Right now, we’re testing and zeroing the ‘Wolly’ combat module, which can be mounted either on a ground robotic platform or deployed directly in position using a tripod. It integrates both the weapon and a surveillance camera and can be operated remotely via cable. This allows a soldier to engage targets while remaining under cover at a significant distance from the line of contact.

We’re also working with a ground robotic system similar to the ‘TerMIT.’ It features a tracked chassis and a modular design, meaning different types of weapons can be installed depending on the mission,” Valentyn explains, adding that their unit employs Browning machine guns. “This platform can travel considerable distances and return.”

RESPONDING TO FRONTLINE CHALLENGES

Military experts stress that success in today’s technology-driven war depends on maintaining continuous and effective feedback between frontline operators and equipment developers and manufacturers. In the 123rd Brigade, this feedback loop is well established. Soldiers note that manufacturers regularly visit, helping crews master and fine-tune ground robotic systems.

“For instance, the reconnaissance-strike system ‘Liut’ was developed several years ago and, by the time it reached our brigade, had already become somewhat outdated due to changes on the battlefield. In particular, the active fire zone along the frontline has expanded. As a result, the system required modifications, which were carried out at the factory. At the same time, we implement additional adjustments ourselves, based on our operational needs and the specific sector of the front we operate in,” Oleksandr explains.

He adds that, in this case, the platform appears to have been designed with room for further adaptation and field-driven upgrades.

One of the brigade’s units is currently deployed in the Huliaipole sector, where evacuation and logistics ground robotic systems are being used effectively. They have already proven their value in delivering ammunition and other critical supplies to the frontline. In the rear, personnel are analyzing this experience, refining solutions, and preparing them for future operations.

Notably, the Mykolaiv Territorial Defense brigade maintains its own workshops, where ground robotic systems are repaired and upgraded. Technicians work with both established platforms and newly introduced models, as manufacturers do not always have time to conduct full-scale testing. As a result, further improvements are often carried out based on real-world field trials.

Time at the training ground passed quickly, and it was soon time to leave. Despite it being a Saturday evening, the soldiers continued their work.

There are no days off here.

Alla Miroshnychenko, Mykolaiv

Photos via Author and liaison service within the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade