Ukrainian Forces Deploy Ground Kamikaze Drones to Counter Russian Infiltrations in Liman (Video)

(UKRAINE, NOVOSELIVKA) – Ukrainian forces have introduced a new frontline tactic against Russian infiltrators in the ongoing conflict around Novoselivka and the Liman direction. The Ukrainian Third Army Corps has deployed ground kamikaze drones to intercept small Russian assault teams attempting to breach defensive lines from the rear.

For the past two months, Russian troops have repeatedly attempted to penetrate Ukrainian defences near Novoselivka. Capturing the settlement could provide the Russian forces with a strategic foothold to threaten Izium from the east and Liman from the north. Despite establishing a bridgehead over the Zherebets River, Russian reinforcements continue to cross under severe losses. Armoured vehicles cannot be moved across, so only small infantry groups of three to five soldiers are sent through forests and trenches in search of weak points in the Ukrainian lines.

Ukrainian reports and videos show how these infiltration efforts often fail. One incident involved a Russian team moving toward the Ukrainian rear, detected by a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit operating from an armoured vehicle. Capturing Russian communications revealed the enemy commander warning his soldiers that they had been spotted. Ukrainian troops engaged under turret cover, eliminating four Russian soldiers and seizing rifles, grenades, and communications equipment.

The Third Army Corps is now employing ground kamikaze drones for direct assault roles. In a recent operation near Novoselivka, a small remote-controlled ground robot approached a Russian infiltration group undetected. The robot detonated on contact, killing one soldier, wounding another, and forcing a third to flee, where he was neutralised by a Ukrainian FPV drone. Until now, ground drones had been used primarily for logistical support and medical evacuation.

In another instance, a narrow profile ground drone penetrated a Russian firing position, detonating inside and collapsing the structure, killing the soldiers within. These developments illustrate a shift in Ukrainian tactics, with automated systems increasingly used to track, engage, and destroy enemy forces while minimising risk to Ukrainian personnel.

Ukraine has previously conducted multi-phase assaults combining aerial surveillance, FPV drones, and unmanned ground vehicles loaded with explosives to clear enemy positions. The current use of ground drones for direct attacks indicates a growing trend in their deployment. Beyond combat, these drones are capable of transporting ammunition, supplies, and evacuating wounded soldiers. Unlike aerial drones, which can crash if signals are lost, ground drones pause until communications are restored, making them more resilient in contested areas.

The Russian command continues to prioritise reaching the northern outskirts of Liman, applying sustained pressure on outnumbered Ukrainian defenders. The Third Army Corps’ investment in drone warfare, particularly the deployment of ground drones for trench clearance, compensates for manpower shortages and strengthens Ukraine’s ability to maintain control even against superior numbers.

Ukrainian Drone Capabilities in Novoselivka