Journalism of Courage
Ukrainian troops in the eastern city of Pokrovsk are now relying on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to move food, water and ammunition through areas heavily targeted by Russian drones, the BBC reported.
During one mission, a Ukrainian soldier quietly radios his team: “The toy is delivered.” The “toy” is a small ground robot used by the 5th brigade to supply frontline units in Pokrovsk and nearby Myrnograd.
Russia is pushing to cut Ukraine’s supply routes, and travelling by armoured vehicle or on foot has become extremely risky.
The UGVs look like small tanks without turrets and can fit into narrow paths. They are driven by remote control from several kilometres away.
Ihor, who leads unmanned systems for Ukraine’s 7th Corps, tells the BBC that “about 90% of all supplies for the Pokrovsk frontline are now delivered by UGVs.”
Robots are used mainly at night. Soldiers load them with water, fuel or ammunition and then roll them out of a van. Once the operator confirms connection, the machine moves on alone.
Some brigades have used these land drones since last year, but demand has increased as Russian attacks make regular supply runs harder.
Russian drones watch the entire 30km stretch of the frontline that soldiers call the “kill-zone”. Any movement is quickly spotted and often attacked by drones, artillery or mortars.
Combat medic “Vitsik” told the BBC he and a drone operator named “Auditor” came under heavy fire while trying to evacuate wounded soldiers.
“One drone after another attacked us,” he said. He added that as soon as one drone exploded, “immediately the next one appeared.”
The pair hid inside damaged houses for nearly an hour before escaping. Inside Pokrovsk, Vitsik says the team moves “from one bush to another, from one house to another” to stay out of sight.
Ukraine denies Russian claims that the city is fully surrounded, but officials say the situation is “extremely difficult”.
Units from the 5th brigade complete several UGV missions a day. At one site, engineers prepare robots by adding camouflage, stronger platforms and improved communication gear.
But the machines are still at risk. A UGV operator known as “Lawyer” told the BBC: “No matter how well it is concealed, no matter what connection you use and how quickly it moves, it can still be detected and destroyed.”
During one evacuation attempt, his robot hit a landmine and another robot sent to help was destroyed too. He still does not know what happened to the wounded soldier they hoped to rescue.
Ihor says only one out of three UGVs reaches its destination. Even so, those that make it through are essential for the troops who remain in frontline positions for long stretches because rotations have become too dangerous.
