Ukraine said its forces carried out over 9,000 uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) missions in March alone, marking a threefold increase since November as ground drones rapidly gain traction on the battlefield.
According to the defense ministry, UGV missions have tripled over the past five months, rising from more than 2,900 in November to over 9,000 in March. This surge pushed the total number of ground drone operations to more than 21,500 in the first quarter.
At the same time, the number of military units deploying these systems has jumped from 67 last year to 167 in March, highlighting how quickly the technology is being adopted.
UGVs are remotely operated ground systems designed to take over high-risk tasks such as frontline resupply, mine clearance, evacuating wounded soldiers, and even holding positions. Built on tracked or wheeled platforms, they can navigate rough terrain while carrying supplies, ammunition, or weapon systems.
Data from Ukraine’s DELTA battlefield system shows that most of the leading UGV units are combat brigades operating on the eastern and northeastern fronts. One of the key users is the 1st Separate Medical Battalion, which has been using ground robots to evacuate injured troops.
As the war enters its fifth year, UGVs are becoming more important due to manpower shortages and the increasing danger posed by aerial drones. Russia has also begun deploying similar systems as both sides look for ways to reduce human exposure on the front lines.
Ukraine had signaled plans to expand UGV use as early as 2024, but adoption has accelerated significantly over the past year, with some brigades now forming dedicated ground drone units.
Despite this growth, ground robots still represent a small share compared to aerial drones. In November alone, Ukrainian forces carried out over 304,000 drone missions in the air, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.