(KYIV) – Ukrainian defence technology company Rovertech has significantly expanded the production of unmanned ground robotic systems over the past year, increasing output by around forty times to meet the growing needs of the Ukrainian Land Forces. The company’s ground robots are now actively used by multiple frontline units, supporting logistics, evacuation and demining operations during ongoing combat.
According to information shared by the Ukrainian Land Forces, Rovertech focused on rapid and intensive scaling of its manufacturing capacity, aligning production directly with battlefield requirements. Company representatives said the strongest motivation for engineers comes from receiving video evidence from the front, showing robots being used in combat missions, evacuations and operations that result in soldiers’ lives being saved.
During a visit to Rovertech’s production facility, journalists were shown damaged robotic components that had detonated mines during operations. These destroyed parts were described as valuable exhibits, as they represent situations where robots absorbed explosions that would otherwise have endangered or killed soldiers. Ukrainian military personnel emphasised that no piece of equipment is more valuable than human life, and that each robot lost in such circumstances is considered proof of success rather than failure.
One of the most notable examples is an unmanned ground robot known as the Zmiy, call sign Rocky, which served with the Third Assault Brigade. During the summer of 2025, the robot reportedly travelled a total distance of 1,271 kilometres, transported nearly forty tonnes of cargo and survived close to forty direct hits. Military statistics linked to the platform estimate that its use contributed to saving around twenty lives during that period.
Rovertech engineers explained that simplicity is a core design principle. All systems are built to allow frontline units to carry out repairs under field conditions, often within hours or a few days, using basic tools. This approach ensures that damaged robots can quickly return to service without being transported far from the combat zone.
The Zmiy platform is used in several configurations, including logistics, evacuation and demining roles. The demining variant is designed to withstand anti tank mines and neutralise a wide range of anti personnel mines. According to the manufacturer, the system is capable of destroying up to ninety percent of certain mine types during clearance operations, outperforming many imported demining machines, which typically achieve lower clearance rates in similar conditions.
Rovertech also highlighted the modular nature of its platforms. Components such as batteries, electric motors, controllers and remote controls are interchangeable across different models. This allows damaged units to be cannibalised for spare parts, enabling the rapid assembly or repair of additional robots directly within military units.
The logistics version of the Zmiy is designed to carry a declared payload of about five hundred kilograms, although frontline experience shows that soldiers often load significantly more. In some cases, robots have reportedly transported loads of up to one tonne or more. Engineers explained that official specifications are intentionally conservative, ensuring reliability and safety margins under extreme conditions.
The platform can be fitted with different types of wheels depending on mission requirements. Metal wheels are used in high risk areas where explosive devices are likely, as they can survive blasts of up to one point five kilograms of explosive material. Even when damaged, the system is often able to continue moving, allowing it to complete missions and withdraw from danger zones.
Rovertech representatives also demonstrated smaller variants of the Zmiy family, including a compact model designed for logistics and assault support, as well as a remote controlled demining platform used for both humanitarian and military purposes. These systems are now deployed across a wide range of Ukrainian units, from Sumy region in the north to Zaporizhzhia region in the south.
Military operators stressed that effective use of unmanned ground robots requires training and experience. While the controls are relatively simple, navigating damaged terrain, mud and shell craters demands skill developed through many hours of operation. Improper handling can result in robots becoming immobilised, even without enemy action.
Despite these challenges, feedback from the front has been largely positive. Soldiers have reported successful evacuation missions carried out under fire, including cases where wounded personnel were transported several kilometres to safety using robotic platforms. Other missions have involved recovering damaged equipment and transporting heavy materials without exposing personnel to direct risk.
The Ukrainian Land Forces stated that the development of robotic systems is a strategic priority, as unmanned ground vehicles play an increasingly important role in modern warfare. Officials encouraged continued cooperation between military units and domestic engineers, noting that battlefield experience directly shapes ongoing improvements to the technology.
