How Robots Will Soon Surpass Armed Soldiers as Key Decision-Makers in Warfare

The prevailing notion among military strategists globally is that despite the advent of new technologies, the infantry remains crucial. As British Army officer Field Marshal Archibald Wavell noted after World War II: “Every battle, every war, is ultimately won by the infantry.” However, this perspective is beginning to evolve.

In Ukraine, the integration of robots into combat scenarios is nearing a pivotal moment. The company recently commenced mass production of an affordable robot dubbed *Legit*, capable of supporting a machine gun. This development follows their announcement to exchange one third of the infantry with unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in specific sectors.

“Even an imperfect system can be valuable if it absorbs risk on behalf of soldiers,” states Oleksandra Molloy from the University of New South Wales, Australia.

<p>The frontlines in Ukraine serve as a critical testing ground for robotic warfare. Casualties are most prevalent there, underscoring the necessity of machines in tasks traditionally performed by humans. Yet, frontline positions often have few soldiers, primarily monitoring ditches and minefields. Drones handle most intelligence-gathering tasks, leading one Ukrainian soldier to remark that their presence was only at the behest of the “old general” seeking personnel on the ground.</p>
<p>Can robots defend the line independently? Ukrainian military commander Mykola Zinkevich asserts they are already doing so. He revealed that UGVs, resembling quad bikes, are remotely operated at speeds of about 6 kilometers per hour, holding down front-line positions for up to 45 days while engaging Russian forces.</p>
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<p>With no soldiers stationed at combat positions, the *DevDroid* periodically returns for battery changes and magazine refills, marking a shift from their previous use of merely transporting supplies to now being outfitted with remote-controlled machine gun turrets.</p>
<p>The upcoming challenge for UGVs involves offensive tactics, complicated by their limited maneuverability. A milestone in 2024 will be Ukraine's first-ever assault executed entirely by robots. Although two machines became stuck while navigating obstacles, the operation effectively captured Russian positions.</p>
<p>Since then, Ukraine has maintained limited UGV operations, refining military strategies around robotic deployment. Reports indicate that these robotic assaults have substantially reduced casualties.<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/30/europe/ukraine-robots-drones-russia-war-intl">Estimates suggest</a> significant lives saved in the process.</p>
<p>In April, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced an ambitious plan to ramp up UGV production to 50,000 units by 2026, a 50% increase from the previous year, stating: "Everyone must understand: This is about saving lives."</p>
<p>No groundbreaking technological innovations have precipitated this moment; UGVs are straightforward robots managed by human operators. The US has deployed, though not actively used, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1559521/Armed-robots-to-go-to-war-in-Iraq.html">similar armed robots</a>. However, the pressure on Ukraine to effectively test these robots heightens due to its superior troop numbers compared to Russian forces, which also limits Russian automation experiments.</p>
<p>The financial aspect is manageable; the *Legit* robot costs around $11,400, leveraging components from hoverboards and electric scooters. This affordability enables the use of these risk-resistant machines for offensive operations or last-ditch defense efforts.</p>

<p>“Grace is rarely rewarded on the battlefield,” claims Molloy. “Victory favors survivability, redundancy, low cost, and mass production.”</p>
<p>Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine's III Corps, envisions an era where robots constitute 80% of Ukraine's combat strength.</p>
<p>Current wheeled and tracked UGV models struggle in urban terrains or building interiors, a challenge that might evolve with technological advances. The US military is exploring humanoid robots for “infiltration operations,” employing explosives for breaches. While today's humanoid robots are somewhat cumbersome, manufacturers, including Elon Musk's Tesla, anticipate the viability of agile, AI-driven humanoids.<a href="https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-shares-big-tesla-optimus-3-production-update/">Mass production might be viable within two years</a>.</p>
<p>“UGVs won't replace military personnel; they’ll assist in their deployment, redeployment, and enhance their skills,” states Molloy.</p>
<p>While advances toward AI-powered autonomous machines could present operational efficiencies, they also pose ethical challenges.</p>
<p>The future success of Ukraine's UGVs remains uncertain, with some arguing that trench warfare provides an easier environment for robots than other conflict types. Nonetheless, the rise of robotic soldiers in Ukraine could herald a transformative era in modern warfare.</p>

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