The Armed Forces of Ukraine are assembling combat robots like Lego: as a result, they are changing the “rules of the game” at the front, – BI

Ukraine uses ground robots in various ways – for evacuating the wounded, laying mines, etc.

Ukraine uses ground robots “like Lego,” combining them in different ways depending on the tasks – from evacuation to attacks, a Ukrainian robot operator said.

Oleksandr Yabchanka, head of the robotic systems department of the Da Vinci Wolves battalion, told Business Insider that his unit does not have different types of robots – instead, they are equipped and assembled for specific needs.

“We can use a strong capsule to evacuate a wounded person. And then, if we need to destroy a Russian position, we attach a bomb to it and turn this system into a kamikaze,” the military man emphasizes.

Yabcanka described ground drones as adaptive systems that fighters can assemble on the spot, and compared them to Lego.

He also noted that this is a positive development for Ukraine: in a war where tactics and technologies are constantly changing, the ability of fighters to adapt quickly can be crucial.

Adaptive robots

Vadym Yunyk, CEO of the company that produces the D-21 robotic ground logistics complex, FRDM Group, told the publication that “the adaptability of the D-21 is one of its main advantages.”

The robot can be used for transporting ammunition and equipment, emergency evacuation of the wounded, and as a platform for installing weapons.

Yunyk explained that due to its versatility, the robot allows units to “quickly integrate the platform into their own tactics.”

The company went further and, at the request of the fighters, equipped the system with a combat module, creating the D-21-12R – a robot capable of firing on the move and changing positions. The company is also currently working on adding a grenade launcher.

“This paves the way for even more flexible use of the D-21 and D-21-12R. In other words, we offer not just a product, but a tool that adapts to the real needs of the front line,” emphasized Yunyk.

Jobs from Estonia

Estonian company Milrem Robotics describes its THeMIS robot, which is already in use in Ukraine, as “a modern multifunctional defense platform designed to perform a variety of tasks.”

The company emphasizes that “the modular and versatile design allows the robot to be customized to the customer’s needs.” These machines can collect intelligence, neutralize munitions, evacuate fighters, and be equipped with various weapons depending on the purpose and available resources.

“Ukrainian troops are really creative and find very simple ways to squeeze the most out of their equipment,” said the company’s founder and CEO Kuldar Veersi.

A new type of war

The publication reports that ground robots are not new to war, but the scale of their use in Ukraine, the variety of tasks, and the number of companies quickly delivering them to the front line truly stand out.

In addition, such robots have enormous potential for Ukraine, which has much fewer human resources than the much larger Russia. Although Moscow is also developing its own versions of such robots.

The speed of innovation is also worth noting: countries are rapidly implementing AI and new technologies to make robots more autonomous and powerful.

Yabcanka noted that soldiers play a key role in these developments. According to him, the soldiers regularly refine and improve ground robots independently, while being on video call with manufacturers.

(c)UNIAN 2025