Ukraine Moves to Replace Frontline Soldiers With 25,000 Ground Robots — UNITED24 Media

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense plans to contract 25,000 ground robotic systems in the first half of 2026, doubling the total procured throughout 2025, according to statements by Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on April 18.

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Fedorov said the expansion follows a meeting with domestic manufacturers of unmanned ground systems, where the ministry outlined its goal of scaling robotic support across the battlefield. “Our goal — 100% of frontline logistics should be performed by robotic systems,” he stated.

Ukraine’s Defense Procurement Agency has already signed 19 contracts with manufacturers worth 11 billion UAH. The minister added that procurement planning is shifting toward longer timelines, with companies expected to receive contracts for the following year in advance to stabilize production and supply chains.

Ukrainian forces carried out more than 9,000 logistics and evacuation missions using ground robots in March alone, and approximately 21,500 missions during the first quarter of 2026.

The Defense Ministry has introduced several measures to accelerate deliveries. These include allowing contract adjustments amid price changes, synchronizing funding flows, and increasing annual procurement volumes.

A dedicated competence center for ground robotic systems is also being established to coordinate deployment with the Armed Forces and General Staff while serving as a central hub for manufacturers.

Fedorov identified ground robotics as one of the fastest-growing sectors within Ukraine’s defense technology ecosystem. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the sector has expanded to include more than 280 companies and over 550 active solutions. The state-backed defense tech cluster Brave1 has issued 175 grants to developers working in this field.

The ministry is also scaling related areas, including engineering systems for mining and demining, combat robotic platforms, loitering ground systems, and automated turrets designed to counter aerial threats. “Our focus — low-cost and effective strike ground systems that the state can scale quickly,” Fedorov said.

Earlier, Ukraine reported the first confirmed case of a Russian position being captured entirely by unmanned systems, without infantry involvement or losses. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation was carried out using drones and ground robotic platforms, forcing Russian troops to surrender.