Ukraine deploys gun-wielding war robot against Russia Ukraine has deployed a gun-toting robot for the first time during a mission into Russian-controlled territory in southern Ukraine, according to soldiers involved in the operation. The robot was delivered via a sea drone, as revealed in a 57-second video clip shared by drone specialists in Ukraine’s 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade. The footage shows the ground robot perched on a floating platform, moving toward a narrow shoreline before rolling off the sea drone and onto land. This marks a significant development in Ukraine’s use of unmanned systems in combat. Ukraine’s drones, both aerial and ground-based, are continuously upgraded every few weeks. The country’s growing fleet of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has attracted less attention compared to its flying drones and explosive-laden uncrewed boats, but these robots are becoming increasingly vital in prolonged, close-quarters battles. Both Ukraine and Russia are leveraging robotics to reduce human exposure to combat risks, employing them for tasks such as evacuating injured soldiers, laying mines, and targeting enemy positions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously highlighted the use of robots in retaking territory from Russian forces, calling it a “new approach to war.” The 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade’s 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion emphasized the strategic importance of these systems in a Telegram post, underscoring their role in modern warfare. The deployment of such technology reflects the evolving nature of conflict, where unmanned systems are being integrated into both defensive and offensive operations. The operation targeted a key Russian position known as the Kinburn Spit, a narrow strip of land stretching 6 miles at the mouth of the Dnieper River.#russia #ukraine #volodymyr_zelensky #123rd_territorial_defense_brigade #kinburn_spit
