Ukrainian forces have achieved a significant milestone in autonomous warfare, with a single remote-controlled ground vehicle holding frontline positions for 45 consecutive days without human presence. The NC-13 Strike Company, a specialized unit within Ukraine’s Third Army Corps, exclusively shared details of this groundbreaking deployment with Business Insider.
The mission centered on the Droid TW 12.7, a tracked combat vehicle developed by Ukrainian company DevDroid and equipped with a .50-caliber M2 Browning machine gun. Commander Mykola “Makar” Zinkevych emphasized the revolutionary nature of the deployment: “Only the UGV system was present at the position. This was the core concept — robots do not bleed.”
The uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) was strategically deployed to multiple positions during its 45-day combat duty, responding to requests from command and observation posts. Its primary mission was delivering fire suppression against Russian forces to prevent advances in Ukrainian-held territory. The drone operated autonomously at the frontline while a Ukrainian crew maintained it from a safe distance of approximately 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) away.
Maintenance operations occurred every two days, initially requiring four hours for weapons servicing, ammunition restocking, and battery recharging. The unit later reduced this to two hours by purchasing additional battery packs with their own funds—a common practice among Ukrainian troops who regularly supplement military equipment with personal resources.
According to DevDroid specifications, the Droid TW 12.7 features an operational range of up to 15 miles and is controlled via radio signal. Critically, the system incorporates artificial intelligence capabilities that enable it to set its own course automatically, though the full extent of its autonomous navigation and combat engagement capabilities remains unclear.
The deployment signals Ukraine’s accelerating adoption of ground-based autonomous systems. While flying attack drones have dominated headlines, UGVs are gaining traction for their potential to replace human soldiers in the war’s most dangerous task: holding frontline positions. Ukraine recently approved two additional versions of the ground drone equipped with grenade launchers—the Mk-19 and AGL-53 40mm—for official military use.
Commander Zinkevych indicated that his company, established in September 2025 under the Third Assault Brigade, plans to dramatically expand UGV deployment for both defensive and assault operations, though he acknowledged the resource-intensive nature of scaling these systems and the ongoing need for crowdfunding support.
Key Quotes
Only the UGV system was present at the position. This was the core concept — robots do not bleed.
Commander Mykola ‘Makar’ Zinkevych of the NC-13 Strike Company explained the fundamental philosophy behind deploying autonomous ground vehicles to hold frontline positions, emphasizing the life-saving potential of replacing human soldiers with robotic systems in the war’s most dangerous roles.
The demand for these systems is indeed high.
Zinkevych described the growing appetite for uncrewed ground vehicles among Ukrainian forces, indicating that the successful 45-day deployment has validated the technology and created pressure for wider-scale adoption across combat operations.
Today, we believe this is the most cost-effective investment.
Despite acknowledging the resource-intensive nature of scaling UGV deployment, Commander Zinkevych emphasized that autonomous ground vehicles represent the best return on investment for military capabilities, justifying his unit’s ongoing crowdfunding efforts to develop more combat drones.
Our Take
This mission represents more than a tactical success—it’s a proof of concept for AI-driven autonomous warfare that will reverberate throughout global defense establishments. The 45-day deployment demonstrates operational reliability that exceeds many expectations for first-generation combat robotics.
Particularly significant is the AI’s autonomous navigation capability, which suggests these systems are transitioning from remotely-operated tools to genuinely intelligent platforms. The fact that Ukraine is rapidly approving multiple variants indicates confidence in the technology’s maturity.
However, the reliance on crowdfunding reveals a critical gap: innovation is outpacing institutional support. This creates both opportunity and risk—while rapid iteration drives breakthroughs, sustainability remains uncertain. The broader implication is clear: AI-powered ground combat systems are no longer experimental but operational, fundamentally changing how wars will be fought and forcing urgent conversations about autonomous weapons governance.
Why This Matters
This deployment represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of AI-powered autonomous warfare systems. The successful 45-day mission demonstrates that ground-based combat robots can effectively replace human soldiers in high-risk frontline positions, potentially transforming military strategy and reducing casualties.
The integration of artificial intelligence for autonomous navigation marks a significant technological leap beyond simple remote control, suggesting these systems are approaching true battlefield autonomy. This has profound implications for the global defense industry, as militaries worldwide observe Ukraine’s real-world testing ground for emerging technologies.
The mission also highlights the accelerating pace of AI adoption in combat scenarios. What began as experimental technology is rapidly becoming standard military equipment, with Ukraine approving multiple variants for official use. This trend will likely influence defense procurement strategies globally and intensify debates about autonomous weapons systems, AI ethics in warfare, and the future role of human soldiers. The resource constraints forcing Ukrainian troops to crowdfund equipment also underscore how innovation is outpacing traditional military acquisition processes.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-unit-ground-drone-devdroid-tw-fought-russians-45-days-2026-1