Kyiv Independent reported that on April 7, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense officially approved the use of the D-21-12R ground robot system in the army.
According to the announcement posted on the website of the Ministry of National Defense, the D-21-12R produced by Ukraine, equipped with large-barrel machine guns, capable of reconnaissance, patrolling, supporting firepower for military units, as well as supporting the attack of enemy light armored vehicles.
The Ministry of National Defense added that the robot can be remotely controlled by the operator in a safe shelter. This system also possesses outstanding mobility, adapting to many complex terrains such as swamps, rough terrain and shallow water areas.
Previously, the Amaga-10 suicide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), also produced by Ukraine, was approved for military service.
These moves show that Ukraine is focusing on developing and manufacturing autonomous, unmanned vehicles to support frontline brigades in the conflict with Russia.
In December 2024, the Ukrainian military said it had carried out an attack in the Kharkiv region using only ground robots and first-person UAVs (FPVs), completely without the participation of infantry.
According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, ground-based robot systems have proven their ability to perform many tasks on the battlefield such as attack, defense, evacuation of war invalids, logistics for the unit, as well as site clearance and mine clearance.
