The Ukrainian military is increasingly deploying ground-based robotic systems to offset manpower shortages and ease the burden on troops along the front line, The Independent reported, citing soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces.

According to the outlet, Kyiv sees these «robots on wheels," often resembling miniature tanks, as a way to compensate for the lack of infantry in the conflict.

An operator from the 20th Brigade of Ukraine’s National Guard, known by the callsign «Akim," said every mission carried out by a robot spares a soldier from heavy or dangerous work. He explained that the machines do not tire and can transport considerable loads. In one operation, a robot delivered ammunition, fuel, water, and food weighing up to 200 kilograms to frontline positions.

Aleksandr Yabchenko, commander of the robotic systems unit in the «Da Vinci Wolves» assault battalion, told Business Insider that ground drones are used to deliver ammunition and supplies, evacuate the wounded and retrieve bodies, carry out demining and mining tasks, conduct remote fire and explosive charges near enemy positions, as well as reconnaissance. He noted their most promising role could be as guided bombs, since they can carry heavier payloads than aerial drones.

The Independent added that most of these systems are Ukrainian-made. Their cost ranges from $1,000 to $64,000. Some lack cameras and must be accompanied by an operator and a reconnaissance drone. Typically, the vehicles are camouflaged and built on wheeled or tracked platforms, though certain models are modified for combat missions and fitted with firearms, including rifles.

One example is the Gnome Kamikaze, designed to transport a TM-62 anti-tank mine with 7.5 kilograms of explosives and a magnetic fuze.