robotic soldiers

Ukraine has begun sending unmanned ground vehicles armed with grenade launchers to attack Russian positions, replacing infantry in direct assaults. The move highlights Kyiv's growing reliance on robotic systems to reduce troop casualties amid manpower shortages. Observers see it as part of a broader shift toward unmanned warfare on the front lines.

Le Parisien reports that Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's digital transformation minister, is backing a new push to field an 'army of robots' on the battlefield, aiming to replace human soldiers in frontline combat roles. The plan reflects Ukraine's drive to offset manpower shortages and reduce casualties by scaling up unmanned ground systems and other autonomous platforms as the war with Russia grinds on.

Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reportedly erased recent Russian gains, with robots playing a central role in the fighting. Unmanned systems carried out combat airdrops of supplies and cleared minefields, reducing risks to Ukrainian soldiers. The operation is being discussed as another example of how drones and ground robots are increasingly taking on dangerous battlefield tasks in the war with Russia.

Japan is considering replacing some of its military personnel with humanoid robots, according to a report circulating in defense and technology media. The idea reflects growing interest in using robotics to address personnel shortages and reduce risks to soldiers. Details on which roles could be automated and on what timeline remain limited.

Ukraine's 1st Medical Battalion says that over 50% of its evacuation missions using the Maul ground robot are successful. The unmanned vehicle is being used to evacuate wounded soldiers from the front line, reducing the risk to medics who otherwise face drones and shelling during rescue operations.