Kyiv, Ukraine

Amid the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine has accelerated efforts to expand the use of robotic technology on the battlefield. Former Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced a new initiative called the “Army of Robots” on September 26. The initiative aims to develop robotic machines capable of carrying out dangerous tasks that could otherwise put soldiers’ lives at significant risk.

According to The Kyiv Independent, Fedorov described the initiative as a defence-tech ecosystem designed to support the development, testing and deployment of robotic systems for the military.

The primary objective of the initiative is to reduce soldiers’ direct exposure to danger. Ukraine is already making extensive use of drone technology in the war, and the new effort seeks to build on that experience by expanding the use of ground-based robotic systems.

These machines could potentially be used for a range of military tasks, including reconnaissance, transporting ammunition, evacuating wounded soldiers to safer locations, mine-related operations, protecting military positions and supporting combat missions.

According to Fedorov, the initiative is intended to develop technologies capable of carrying out difficult military tasks while reducing the risks faced by personnel.

Ukraine’s move highlights the growing role of robotics and unmanned systems in modern warfare. The use of machines on the battlefield is increasingly being explored as a way to reduce soldiers’ direct involvement in dangerous operations and expand the use of technology in high-risk environments.

Through the “Army of Robots” initiative, Ukraine is now seeking to make ground-based robotic technology an increasingly important part of its military strategy alongside drones.