The Pentagon has sent a batch of Phantom MK-1 humanoid robots to Ukraine to test how they perform under real combat conditions. According to Time magazine, the American company Foundation, which designed the machines, confirmed that it delivered two of the units to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February.

Mike Leblan, a company employee and former U. S. Marine with more than 300 combat sorties, said that what he witnessed on Ukrainian positions surprised him. In his assessment, the battlefield increasingly resembles a large-scale confrontation between machines, where robots take on the central role while humans serve in a supporting capacity. He noted that this dynamic differs sharply from his experience in Afghanistan, where soldiers remained the decisive force on the ground and technology functioned mainly as a supporting tool.

Developers believe humanoid systems could handle tasks beyond the capabilities of conventional drones. Among the expected uses is operating inside bunkers and other enclosed structures, environments where standard unmanned platforms are often ineffective.

At the same time, specialists warn that the deployment of such technology carries significant risks. The software controlling these machines could become a target for hacking, and artificial intelligence systems are known to occasionally produce so-called «hallucinations," which may lead to dangerous malfunctions.

For now, the technology remains far from fully mature. During testing, the robots sometimes lose balance and require frequent recharging. Nevertheless, Foundation has already secured research contracts worth $24 million from the U. S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. The company is also working on an upgraded version, the Phantom MK-2, scheduled for presentation in April. The new model is expected to carry up to 80 kilograms of cargo and feature water protection.