Ukraine's robotic revolution challenges Russian logistics
The conflict in Ukraine is the first modern war in decades where two sides have roughly comparable capabilities. Ukrainians are heavily investing in robotics to mitigate losses and counter the numerical superiority of the Russians. On the other hand, due to a shortage of lorries and other transport means, the Russians have resorted to using donkeys at the front.
The realities of the war in Ukraine, with the widespread use of drones, mean that the classic Clausewitzian fog of war is practically non-existent; everyone can, in essence, see each other live. Supplying defensive positions with food, water, ammunition, or fuel poses a significant challenge.
In previously fortified areas, covered and camouflaged trenches or tunnels are standard, while on so-called "new terrain", the norm is to use vehicles to transport supplies instead of soldiers. Alternatively, soldiers may simply carry supplies on their backs.
The internet is full of recordings, for example, of Ukrainian MRAPs delivering necessary supplies near the trenches and evacuating the wounded. On the Russian side, there have recently been many motorcyclists or civilian cars like Ladas or UAZs. While an MRAP can withstand a few hits from FPV drones, the same cannot be said for civilian vehicles.
Robots vs. pack animals — A clash of two worlds in Ukraine
The Ukrainians received a number of Estonian THeMIS robots, which evidently inspired the creation of simpler rovers seen in the following footage. This type of rover can transport nearly 100 kg of cargo over a distance of 10 km for the model shown.
Communication with the control station is facilitated by a deployable fibre optic cable, whose reel is protected from mud by an empty water container with a capacity of 20 litres. This is currently the simplest communication method entirely immune to electronic warfare systems, because the only way to stop such a drone or rover is its physical elimination.
Such a rover allows for more discreet transportation of supplies from a logistics point to a resistance point, as it is less visible in thermal imaging and easier to camouflage than a human. Moreover, its loss is not as significant as, for example, an armoured vehicle with a crew or a group of frontline porters.
On the other hand, both sides have used improvised wheeled stretchers or wheelbarrows for transporting weapons and other items. In the recordings below, you can see a Ukrainian transporting a Javelin in a wheelbarrow and Russian soldiers carrying supplies.
Recently, photos or videos from Russian trenches featuring frontline donkeys have become popular online. Animals are used on a limited scale in many of the world's armed forces, particularly in mountain units, where, until transport robots become widespread, there are simply no more effective porters than donkeys or mules.
However, the widespread appearance of donkeys on the Russian side indicates a significant shortage of military vehicles and a lack of personnel. The Russians must attack with a substantial numerical advantage to make any progress at the front, resulting in significant losses.
In this context, using donkeys capable of carrying as many as several soldiers can free up some soldiers previously involved in logistics to perform assault tasks.
