Ukraine pioneers first fully robotic assault on Russian forces
In light of significant personnel shortages, Ukrainians are trying to offset the lack of soldiers by extensively using drones. A successful attack on Russian positions using only drones has now been reported for the first time.
As reported by ISW based on information from the spokesperson of the Ukrainian brigade fighting north of Kharkiv, on 20th December, in the region of the village of Lypci, Ukrainians conducted their first-ever entirely robotic attack on Russian positions.
The assault involved dozens of FPV drones and remotely controlled rovers equipped with machine guns and tools for clearing mines, among other weaponry. In the past, drones were mainly used in support roles, such as assisting assault groups in M2A2 Bradley vehicles, but this time they were used exclusively. Ukrainians have claimed that their robotic assault group successfully cleared the Russian trench.
Robots in war — A tandem of robots from the Terminator attacked the Russians
For several years, Ukrainians have been experimenting with the use of remotely controlled rovers and drones in warfare. These have been primarily used as support for human assault groups, but this does not mean there is a lack of development of strategies and tactics for using exclusively robotic strike groups.
These robots have many advantages, the most significant being that they can be used in high-risk areas. Losing equipment that can be reproduced or bought is far less costly than losing a soldier, who is difficult to replace. Such visions were once the fantasy of the Terminator universe, but now a Skynet-like drone group has been utilised against the Russians.
FPV drones capable of carrying about 3 kilograms of payload are used to deliver, for example, PG-7VL grenades capable of destroying tanks or other armoured vehicles. Other payloads include anti-personnel bomblets from cluster munitions or rifle grenades. However, these are single-use drones (destroyed upon impact), though in recent months, there have been examples of FPV drones fitted with rifles from the AK family.
In recent months, Ukrainians have been equipping FPV drones with computing systems capable of using artificial intelligence algorithms, enabling them to hit targets protected by jammers (their range is usually about 500 metres or less).
Additionally, larger drones collectively known as "Baba Yaga" can reach altitudes of up to 3,000 metres, carrying payloads of between 20 and 30 kilograms. These are used not only for bombing Russian targets with mortar shells (sometimes even guided by a laser beam), but also as signal boosters for other drones, laying mines behind Russian lines, or as transporters for robo-dogs.
Meanwhile, regarding land solutions, Ukrainians are experimenting with tracked or wheeled remote-controlled rovers armed with explosives, machine guns, or automatic grenade launchers. They are also employed for mine-laying or clearing the area of mines.
Rovers are controlled via wireless communication or a deployable fibre-optic cable over distances of a few miles, which is more effective under conditions of Russian jamming activity.
The primary challenge was developing a synchronised tactic for deploying numerous unmanned vehicles within a specific area, which Ukrainians reported was successful. It is expected that the knowledge gained from this robotic assault group will be applied in other units.
