Experts note that deploying ground robots in combat, despite their notable lineup, remains labor-intensive and vulnerable to countermeasures. Russian and Ukrainian militaries have shown interest in robots, with Russia planning to integrate them into its military and Ukraine intending to create an army of robots, following several years of UGV research and limited trials by Russia.
Ukraine approved ground robots in 2016 but faces limitations including low saturation of unmanned systems and vulnerability to Russian countermeasures. The absence of fully autonomous navigation in many platforms requires additional equipment for protection, making sending out these robots manpower-intensive.
Despite limitations, examples of effective use of UGVs by Ukrainian forces exist, with Western countries drawing lessons from these instances. Ground robots have been successful in demining and cargo-transport missions, with newer applications indicating a trend towards using UGVs in ground-based munition roles.
Russia is developing UGVs like the Buggy UGV to detonate upon reaching targets, emulating the concept of a loitering ammunition drone but driving to the target instead of flying into it. Remotely operated or autonomous robots are preferred for these roles due to their ability to carry larger explosive charges.
