Ukraine tests PROTECTOR unmanned ground vehicle with range of up to 500 km

Ukrainian forces have released footage showing trials of the PROTECTOR, a heavy unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed by Ukrainian Armor, with a stated driving range of 400–500 km.

The video, carried by the Army TV channel on 25 August, presents the system as a remotely operated, full-size off-road platform designed for logistics, casualty evacuation and potential weapon integration.

The PROTECTOR is built on an off-road vehicle chassis and is driven by an operator at distance rather than a driver in the cabin. Controls on the handheld console mirror those of a conventional vehicle to reduce training burden. The platform carries up to 700 kg and can tow a trailer; during testing it pulled a trailer loaded with a three-tonne car.

According to the Army TV segment, the cargo area can accommodate three stretchered casualties for evacuation. The manufacturer and military presenters also indicated that weapon modules, such as machine guns or grenade launchers, may be fitted in future depending on mission needs. Day and night cameras are installed for driving and situational awareness.

Communications are arranged with three independent links and two external antennas, allowing the operator to switch between links to mitigate electronic warfare interference. The right-hand antenna connects the vehicle to the control unit; the left-hand unit shown in the footage is currently a placeholder but may be equipped for additional communications options later. Reported control ranges are up to 7 km over broken ground and up to 12 km in open terrain. A Starlink terminal is mounted on board as a further communications path.

Power is provided by a 3-litre, 190 hp diesel engine. In the Army TV report, the team cited a driving range of 400–500 km and a maximum speed of about 45 km/h, figures that place the PROTECTOR at the upper end of endurance among UGVs fielded in Ukraine to date. A prominent emergency cut-off button on the body allows instant power isolation across the vehicle’s systems.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence announced on 27 June that the PROTECTOR had been codified and authorised for operational use across Defence Forces units. The ministry also highlighted the use of RunFlat wheels to preserve mobility after tyre damage. The authorisation places the vehicle among several unmanned ground systems cleared for service in 2025 as Ukraine expands its inventory of robotic platforms.

The manufacturer and military presenters positioned the PROTECTOR primarily as a logistics and support vehicle, including ammunition resupply, casualty evacuation and tow or recovery tasks. The ability to tow multi-tonne loads and carry a substantial payload is intended to reduce exposure of personnel on contested routes. Defence-focused outlets reported that units have begun introducing the platform following the June authorisation.

While the Army TV film emphasised remote operation, the footage also underscored measures against jamming, reflecting battlefield demand for resilient control links. Switching between multiple communications channels and employing satellite back-up are among the mitigations demonstrated. Operating ranges stated in the report—up to 12 km on open ground—align with figures cited in previous demonstrations of the platform.

The segment indicated that serial production of the PROTECTOR has begun, with the expectation that units will appear at the front as deliveries ramp up. The Ministry of Defence’s codification framework allows domestic producers to supply systems directly to operational units once trials and documentation are complete.

The unveiling comes amid a broader shift towards unmanned ground systems in Ukraine, used for supply, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance and, increasingly, armed roles. Although smaller FPV and multirotor drones attract most attention, the Ministry of Defence has cleared nearly 30 UGVs and remotely operated weapon stations for use so far in 2025, suggesting a wider push to automate high-risk tasks.

Key specifications cited in the Army TV report

Platform: remotely operated 4×4-based UGV
Payload: up to 700 kg; can tow a trailer and heavy vehicle
Crew: none (remote operator via control console)
Propulsion: 3-litre diesel, 190 hp
Endurance: 400–500 km per refuelling
Speed: ~45 km/h
Comms: three links with two antennas; Starlink terminal on board; control range up to 7 km (mixed terrain) and up to 12 km (open)
Features: day/night cameras; emergency power cut-off; provision for weapon modules; RunFlat wheels (per MoD release).

The Army TV footage provides the first extended look at the vehicle’s configuration and operating concept since authorisation in June. With production reportedly under way, the PROTECTOR will add a long-range, high-payload ground option to Ukraine’s inventory of unmanned systems as units seek to reduce exposure on resupply and evacuation routes under fire.