Ukrainian forces employ drones and robo-dogs to counter Russian troops
Ukrainians are coping as best they can against the numerically superior Russians. One of their methods is using small reconnaissance drones or robo-dogs. We explain how they are used and present the performance of this model.
The Ukrainians largely rely on drones to compensate to some extent for the lack of modern equipment, which is mainly directed to elite units like "Kraken." These units have received, for example, microdrones "Black Hornet" allowing them to check the nearest terrain, which is a huge help during urban combat.
Meanwhile, soldiers from other units such as the 28th Independent Mechanized Brigade use Unitree Go2 robo-dogs from China for similar purposes.
Unitree Go2 - Chinese robo-dog in military applications
Unitree Go2 robo-dogs, available on Chinese sales platforms for around $3,000, are very popular bases for various experiments. At one time, Russians experimented with arming these robots with AK family rifles or even anti-tank grenade launchers during the Armija-2022 fair. Another interesting invention based on this robo-dog is the Thermonator flamethrower from the USA.
It's not surprising that since Unitree Go2 robots are available for free sale, they are also in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers. It is worth noting that the robo-dog has a major advantage over classic DJI Mavic-type drones, as it is virtually silent. This allows, for example, the covert checking of enemy positions to find a favourable attack direction.
Structurally, the Unitree Go2 robo-dog weighs 15 kilograms, which is not a lightweight load, to which an additional battery is likely added since the standard one with a capacity of 8000 mAh allows for a maximum of 2 hours of operation. The heart of the robo-dog is an unspecified octa-core processor, and its situational awareness is a result of a high-resolution daytime camera and a lidar with a measurement accuracy of 0.5 centimetres, allowing it to move over uneven terrain.
