Ukraine's breakthrough: Robotic assault redefines warfare
Facing significant personnel shortages, Ukrainians are turning to the mass use of drones to compensate for the lack of soldiers. Recently, a successful attack on Russian positions using only drones has been reported.
As reported by ISW, and based on information from the spokesperson of the Ukrainian brigade fighting north of Kharkiv, on December 20, at approximately 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time, in the area of the village of Lypci, Ukrainians executed their first-ever entirely robotic attack on Russian positions.
The assault exclusively used dozens of FPV drones and remotely controlled rovers equipped with machine guns and mine-clearing equipment. Previously, drones served primarily in support roles alongside, for instance, assault groups in M2A2 Bradley vehicles. This time, however, they were used independently. Ukrainians have proudly announced that the robotic assault group successfully cleared a 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 essentially supported human assault groups, but this does not mean there hasn't been significant development of strategies and tactics for deploying exclusively robotic strike groups.
These robotic systems have many advantages, with the most significant being their use in high-risk areas. Losing equipment that can be produced or acquired is much less damaging than losing a soldier, who is very difficult to replace. Such scenarios were previously the stuff of science fiction, like the Terminator universe. Now, a Skynet-like drone group has been employed against the Russians.
FPV drones capable of carrying about 3 kilograms of payload can transport 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 drones are single-use and are being destroyed upon target impact. In recent months, there have been instances of FPV drones mounted with rifles from the AK family.
Recently, Ukrainians have equipped FPV drones with computing systems capable of using artificial intelligence algorithms, enabling them to hit targets protected by jammers (which typically have a range of about 500 metres or less).
Additionally, larger drones, collectively called "Baba Yaga," can reach altitudes of up to 3,000 metres, carrying payloads between 20 and 30 kilograms. These drones are used not only for bombing Russian positions with mortar shells (sometimes even guided by a laser beam) but also as signal boosters for other drones, for laying mines behind Russian lines, or for transporting robo-dogs.
In terms of ground-based solutions, Ukrainians are experimenting with tracked or wheeled remote-controlled rovers armed with explosives, machine guns, or automatic grenade launchers. They are also utilized to lay mines or clear areas of mines.
These rovers are controlled via wireless communication or a deployable fibre-optic cable over distances of a few kilometres, proving more effective under Russian jamming activities.
The primary challenge was developing a synchronized tactic for using such a large number of unmanned vehicles in a specific area, which was successful, according to Ukrainian reports. Insights gained from deploying this robotic assault group are expected to inform strategies in other units.
