Robot-dogs with advanced intelligence and engineering roles, robots equipped with machine
guns, and ground drones designed for the evacuation of wounded soldiers—this is not just
another Star Wars movie; it’s the reality of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
In February 2014, Russia invaded Ukraine, occupying Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and
Luhansk regions. This occurred after the Revolution of Dignity, which saw Ukrainians oust the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. The war began, localized in the eastern part of the country, but in February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion, and occupying several cities in additional regions.
At that time, the Russian population was over 144 million, while Ukraine had about 41 million. Despite this, Ukrainians managed to liberate some regions and cities. Numerous countries provided assistance with weapons, technology, and funds, yet Ukrainian forces faced significant shortages in human resources, heavy weapons, rockets, and aircraft.
In these dire circumstances, various types of drones and robotic systems became a lifeline; engineers and developers rose to
prominence, and creativity became Ukraine’s superpower. Drones have partly replaced
infantry, artillery, naval and air forces, marking a technological revolution taking place on multiple levels—from local volunteer projects in garages to powerful, secretive government developments.
Drones as a Concept
“Ukraine shows how to protect the sea without a navy,” says Valeriy Yakovenko, founder of the DroneUA group of companies. “And how to safeguard the sky with almost no aircraft and effectively counter danm ‘Shaheds’ (Russian strike drones) flying over our cities.”
Valeriy’s business began before the war in 2014, and his website primarily features civilian projects. As he explains, these companies assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but he cannot disclose details due to security reasons. “There aren’t enough people to hold back the aggressor, who considers human resources insignificant,” Valeriy states.
“According to our country’s strategy, technology must be a focal point for ensuring the safety of soldiers and civilians. Today, thanks to technology, Ukraine has transformed its approach to military and defense operations. Primarily, it concerns protecting maritime areas, serving as a lesson for humanity on how to challenge an enemy’s navy without having your own and how to sink their ships.
We have diminished the value of armored vehicles as they are now actively targeted by Ukrainian drones. Over 60% of Russian armored vehicles destroyed were hit by Ukrainian drones. Drones prevent the enemy from establishing itself and creating a formidable barrier. We have shown that, even amid war, Ukraine can localize production and rank first in the world in robotics. We produce even more than China does.”
Some products from DroneUA have even been purchased by NASA, although Valeriy refrains from sharing specifics, emphasizing this as further proof that Ukrainian engineers are recognized globally.
“However, I’d like to add that this is a very small agreement compared to the future potential,” he says.
He explains that while Western counterparts may spend $10,000 on equipment, Ukraine spends only $500. This stark contrast is a hallmark of the Ukrainian experience. “The real experience lies in the quick feedback from the frontline” he notes.
“The Ukrainian drone ecosystem produces 7, 10, 12, and 14-inch drones capable of carrying various types of loads and lethal or non lethal weapons. Additionally, there’s electronic warfare—an incredibly complicated job focused on data exchange, searching for connection channels without the possibility of interception or suppression by the enemy. This achievement holds significance for the entire world.
For instance, the Ukrainian anti-drone system can protect against 70% of threats that could affect armored vehicles or strongholds or separate positions and costs between $2,000 to $10,000. In contrast, a similar American system for protecting a single HMMWV costs $500,000 or more. Ukraine has created capabilities that different countries and stakeholder groups can utilize for their protection.
This isn’t about attack; it’s about defense. And Ukrainian technologies are significantly cheaper. The foreign market fears our exports because we could disrupt the foundations established over the last 30-40 years since the end of the Cold War.”
“ShutUp” or “Saber” and Other Innovations
Yevhen Hnatiuk, an engineer and developer, shows his workshop in an industrial zone of Kyiv. Some drones are prohibited from being photographed.
The next drone, named “Grill” (“Manhal”), is a fully operational ground platform on wheels. “Grill” serves the Ukrainian Armed Forces in various roles, including mining. It can carry two anti-tank mines or other ordnance that can be deployed from it.
The next ground platform is “Ardal,” which operates on tracks.
“It’s a rather powerful platform,” Yevhen explains. “It can be used in various situations, primarily for logistics or as a base for a weapon. An anti-mine trawl can also be attached to its front.”
“Ardal” can transport ammunition, food, water, or evacuate wounded soldiers. Depending on the task, it can be upgraded with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology; it can also utilize fiber optics. It is equipped with a video camera and features a large metal
basket that can be placed on top.
The first drone he presents is a ground platform called “Sapper”. It contains three detectors that search for metal underground and display it on a screen. Also, the drone can create a map of mined areas. Yevhen notes that this project is still in development and is currently undergoing testing for humanitarian demining.
One of the first drones Yevhen created was the ground platform “Sirko.” They were inexpensive and operated as kamikaze drones. Unlike “Ardal,” “Grill,” and “Sapper,” it lacks codification from the Ministry of Defense, as it was a completely volunteer project.
“This model was effective when the war had a different character,” Yevhen explains. “When the Russians moved in columns, the mission was to strike them quickly. However, the nature of warfare is changing. Now, pilots must remain safe while countering enemy drones. In the past, kamikaze drones were in high demand, but now there’s a greater need for logistics drones, miners, and deminers. And drones with weapons of course are needed too.”
As Russian tactics evolved, they began moving in small groups of 2-5 people, making it more effective and economical to target them with conventional FPV drones.
The first model of “Sirko” now stands in a workshop corner. It completed its mission as a kamikaze drone but has not been completely destroyed. Notes from donors adorn it, along with the Trident, a Ukrainian symbol, drawn by soldiers. It now serves as a memento. The original “Sirko” operated at a minimal range of approximately 700 meters, but subsequent models extended this range to 35 kilometers and can carry up to 100 kilograms of payload.
Yevhen has ceased development on “Sirko.” His current primary project is the drone “Hope” (“Nadiia”), which soldiers are currently testing on the battlefield. If successful, “Hope” will be produced in mass quantities for logistical needs.
Yevhen is developing his own company, “Skyline Enterprise.” Initially, he assisted the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a volunteer, with people donating money for materials to create drones. However, each new drone was more sophisticated and costly than the previous one.
Eventually, soldiers from one unit began financing components for its production. Yet this approach has become increasingly complicated. One potential direction is to collaborate with the Ministry of Defense.
“One day, we may have no choice but to become a commercial organization,” Yevhen predicts.
“However, we don’t want to take this path because our goal is to support the Ukrainian army.”
Another developer, who cannot disclose his name for security reasons, is working on solutions that could impact the battlefield.
One such solution is the remotely operated combat module “Saber” (“ShaBlya”) for various machine guns. In this context, “saber” is a homonym for “shut up” in Ukrainian.
“Saber” allows operators to strike and establish a defensive line from a distance through a controller, safeguarding the operator’s life by eliminating the need to be near the machine gun.
“The logistic platform ‘Lynx’ (‘Rys’) is designed for evacuating wounded soldiers,” the developer says.
“It can transport ammunition, food, water, and medical supplies. We also have an intelligence drone called ‘WarDog,’ which can operate in difficult terrain without GPS.”
There is also a product that integrates all these devices. “Saber” and “Lynx” combine to form a mobile fire complex, while “WarDog” acts as the “eyes” of the operation, enabling the operator to broaden the field of view.
“This allows us to plan far more complex operations without the direct involvement of infantry,” the developer explains.
Fighting with a Cup of Coffee and Water Delivery for Neighbors
Currently, robots cannot entirely replace humans, but they significantly reduce the need for
personnel to remain in active combat areas.
The “Honor” troop of the “Da Vinci Wolves” battalion actively utilizes these technological innovations.
Troop commander Oleksandr
Yabchanka shares experiences using the turret: “We established an automatic turret at our position while its operator enjoyed coffee in the dugout. We monitored the battlefield from the drone. When we observed movement, we
provided cover fire in that area.
The enemies attempted to shell the robot with mortars, but our personnel remained safe. Another instance near Avdiivka (Donetsk region, now occupied) saw the “Saber” turret repel a Russian attack, resulting in numerous enemy casualties while no Ukrainians were lost at the position. It proved to be a favorable exchange.”
Oleksandr recounts another story from Krasnohorivka (Donetsk region, now occupied). Every movement outdoors was perilous due to a high concentration of enemy drones, and the members of another unit requested water be delivered via drone. “It was June-July, and the heat was intense,” Oleksandr recalls.
“And we had a stockpile of
supplies because we managed logistics efficiently thanks to the ground robotic complex.”
Another significant challenge is evacuation. On one occasion, Oleksandr’s group needed to evacuate wounded soldiers from a highly dangerous area, where enemy drones were prevalent. As one drone’s battery ran low, another would come to replace it.
“We had two wounded soldiers: one could walk, while the other could not,” Yabchanka explains.
“The group that evacuated them was shelled with mortars, resulting in five additional casualties. Just imagine that for each of them, several people would be required.
The larger the concentration of personnel or equipment, the greater the risk of being targeted by enemy fire. If there are more than three persons, you can be sure that something like a mortar will target them.
Time is crucial; injuries vary in severity, and the ground robotic
complex saved us that day. We managed to evacuate all the wounded using the simple ‘Lynx’ platform, which can carry up to 150 kilograms.”
Drones-Veterans Finding Their Place in Civilian Life
Most drones and robotic systems could be repurposed for civilian applications. The robot
developer notes: “Intelligence drones could be utilized for environmental monitoring and rescue operations.
Combat modules could aid in border protection for the border service. Logistic platforms could automate transportation in warehouses, construction sites, or humanitarian missions, enabling deliveries in extreme conditions.”
Valerii Yakovenko also emphasizes the role of drones in industry and agriculture. “Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine ranked 10th among European countries in the
industrial use of aerial drones,” he states.
“Ukraine had significant capacities for supplying equipment and its application in metallurgy, mining, and other sectors. In 2021, Ukraine was one of the largest markets globally for agricultural drones, with more than 50% of all agricultural drones in Europe operating in Ukraine.
This trend is likely to continue. The
ground platforms currently used on the battlefield will be adapted for use as platform-drone sprayers in agriculture.”
In the context of modern warfare, high-tech innovations have become game-changing tools.
“Before the Russia’s full-scale invasion, military technologies seemed distant—subjects of
research, pride, and presentations,” explains the developer.
“Now, they are a matter of life
and death. Ukraine has become an incubator of innovations, where solutions are tested and
refined daily, fundamentally altering the rules of warfare.
Various types of drones,
autonomous systems, and AI in intelligence and management—once considered futuristic—are now integral to combat operations. The war has made the technology community more mobile and open.
Our experience is painful, but it reshapes not only our country but also the global perspective on warfare, defense, and technology.”
