Ground drones in Ukraine: more than 7,000 combat and logistics missions in January alone

The Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out more than 7,000 combat and logistics missions with ground-based robotic systems in January. The more closely these ground drones are integrated into the troops' processes, the more clearly the risk to soldiers falls – and the more effective operations at the front become.

Just six months ago, evacuating the wounded with ground-based robotic systems was rather the exception. Today, robots routinely drive into high-risk zones – they deliver ammunition, secure supplies and evacuate the wounded where deploying personnel would pose an additional risk— Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

Logistics tasks directly at the front accounted for most of the missions in January – work that soldiers previously had to do under enemy fire. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, front-line logistics is to shift as far as possible to unmanned ground systems, relieving personnel and minimising losses. Kyiv is thus consistently pursuing its strategy of deploying unmanned systems on a large scale not only in the air but increasingly on the ground as well.

More ground drones from 2026

Production and procurement of ground-based robotic systems are to be expanded significantly in 2026. Communication and command and control systems are also to be improved further. In future, military units are to procure and configure modules and components as needed – and thus respond even more flexibly to the requirements of each mission.

Particularly effective operational concepts are being rolled out systematically through the “Army of Drones Bonus” programme. On the “Brave1 Market” platform, units can already procure 13 models of ground-based robotic systems with so-called “Combat Points” – quickly, transparently and in line with what the front actually requires.

Once again, this development shows how strong an innovation boost the war in Ukraine is giving unmanned systems – in the air and increasingly on the ground.