Both Russia and Ukraine are rapidly developing and deploying ground-based unmanned systems to reduce troop casualties and boost battlefield effectiveness, Forbes reports.

According to the article, this reflects a broader global shift toward robotic warfare, where machines increasingly assume roles once carried out by humans.

On the front line, both sides face what the publication describes as «kill zones» — areas fully dominated by reconnaissance and strike drones. Any movement within these zones is instantly detected and targeted, forcing armies to rely on unmanned ground vehicles for logistics, evacuation, and frontline support.

Russia has introduced new systems known as Kurier and Depesha. Kurier is an electric platform armed with a machine gun, a grenade launcher, and electronic warfare tools. Depesha is a lightweight robot designed to transport supplies and evacuate the wounded.

Ukraine, meanwhile, is deploying its own domestically produced Termit and Protector drones, capable of carrying between 300 and 700 kilograms of cargo. In addition, Kiev is working with Prague to develop the amphibious robot UNEX, while Estonia is supplying 150 THeMIS tracked drones to the Ukrainian side.

While ground drones still lag behind their aerial counterparts in autonomy, they are advancing quickly. Some are already equipped with weapons, demining systems, and modules designed to counter other robotic platforms and UAVs. Analysts cited in the article argue that the ongoing conflict has effectively become a testing ground for a new era of warfare — one where air, land, and sea robots operate as a single, coordinated force.