In the war-ravaged Kharkiv region, Ukraine is deploying cutting-edge robotic warfare to outmanoeuvre Russian forces. The 13th Khartia Brigade, an elite unit known as the “Billionaires Brigade,” has integrated ground drones into combat, proving that technology can shift the balance in modern warfare.
Founded in 2022 by Ukrainian billionaire Serhiy Korovytsyn, the brigade follows NATO military planning standards rather than outdated Soviet doctrines. It prioritises strategy, using 3D-printed models and digital simulations to rehearse assaults before engaging in battle. The brigade has already played a key role in Ukraine’s counteroffensives, including halting Russia’s advance towards Kharkiv in 2023.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian soldiers now work alongside robotic allies, including machine gun-mounted drones, logistics carriers, and mine-laying vehicles. These unmanned ground drones, controlled remotely, reduce the risk to human troops while enhancing combat effectiveness. Among them is the eerie yet impressive “Robo Dog,” a quadrupedal robot adapted for battlefield reconnaissance. Equipped with a high-powered camera, it can stream live intelligence from the frontline to operators stationed kilometres away.
The brigade claims to have conducted the world’s first remote-controlled ground drone assault on Russian positions in December 2024. Footage from these operations shows Russian soldiers retreating under fire from machine gun-wielding robots and drone-dropped explosives.
| Ukrainian Ground Drones in Combat | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Logistics drones | Transport ammunition and supplies |
| Mine-laying drones | Deploy anti-tank mines remotely |
| Machine gun drones | Attack enemy positions |
| Reconnaissance Robo Dog | Provide live battlefield surveillance |
Unlike conventional formations, the brigade consists of young, tech-savvy recruits, many of whom were scientists, engineers, and gamers before the war. Their expertise has helped transform Ukraine’s military into one of the most technologically advanced in the world. The unit’s deputy commander, a former molecular biologist, abandoned his doctoral studies in Germany to develop war machines for Ukraine’s defence.
This shift towards robotic warfare reflects Ukraine’s need to compensate for its shortage of soldiers while maximising battlefield efficiency. Russia, by contrast, relies on outdated Soviet-era tactics and overwhelming numbers. While Moscow throws wave after wave of poorly trained conscripts into battle, Ukraine is investing in intelligent, unmanned solutions that reduce casualties and outthink the enemy.
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