Ukrainian ground-based robotic systems have, for the first time, contributed directly to the capture of enemy personnel without the involvement of infantry.

The operation was carried out by the Third Separate Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kharkiv region, marking what is believed to be the first confirmed case of enemy surrender in combat to unmanned platforms.

The announcement was made via the brigade’s official communication channels, which detailed the events of a highly coordinated offensive involving only unmanned aerial and ground systems. According to the unit, the operation was executed “without infantry and without losses.”

The assault targeted a fortified Russian position using a combination of FPV (first-person view) drones and kamikaze versions of the Ukrainian-developed NRK (ground robotic complex). Following a series of precision strikes that destroyed enemy fortifications, a ground robot advanced towards a damaged enemy dugout. At this stage, the Russian personnel signalled their intention to surrender, reportedly to avoid further attack.

The surviving Russian soldiers were subsequently directed towards Ukrainian lines by unmanned aerial vehicles, where they were taken into custody in accordance with military procedures. The Third Brigade confirmed that the positions had previously resisted attempts by neighbouring Ukrainian units and described the robot-led assault as a success in reclaiming both the enemy trenches and adjacent wooded areas.

The unit involved in the operation was identified as NRK “NC13” of the BPS “Deus Ex Machina” company, which belongs to the 2nd Assault Battalion of the brigade. According to the statement, this marked “the first confirmed successful assault using exclusively unmanned platforms in modern warfare.”

The brigade emphasised the significance of the operation by stating: “Positions that had twice resisted adjacent units were retaken by the robots of the ‘Troika’ thanks to clearly planned assault actions.” The term “Troika” is a common shorthand used to refer to the Third Assault Brigade.

While unmanned ground vehicles have been deployed in a variety of support roles since the early stages of the war, including for logistics and casualty evacuation, this incident is the first time they have been publicly credited with securing the surrender of enemy combatants.

In one earlier example from May 2025, Ukraine’s 13th National Guard Brigade “Khartiya” successfully used a ground robot to extract a wounded serviceman from the battlefield. That system, known as “Targan,” had been modified for medical evacuation purposes, repurposing a Ukrainian-made logistics platform into a battlefield ambulance.

Ukraine has been expanding its use of unmanned ground systems in response to the high intensity and attrition-driven nature of the conflict, particularly along sectors such as Kharkiv and Donetsk, where traditional infantry manoeuvres face sustained risks from artillery, mines, and fortified Russian positions.

While aerial drones have become a mainstay in the war — used for reconnaissance, fire correction, and direct attack — the successful integration of ground-based robotic systems into offensive operations adds a new dimension to Ukraine’s evolving battlefield tactics. This is seen as part of a broader effort to reduce human exposure while maintaining offensive momentum.

The Ukrainian military has not disclosed the number of prisoners captured in the operation, nor has it detailed the specific type or capabilities of the NRK units involved beyond their designations. However, previous footage released by Ukrainian units has shown tracked robotic platforms equipped with cameras, manipulator arms, and in some cases, weapons or explosive payloads.

Ukrainian defence analysts have noted that such systems, while still in relatively early stages of deployment, have potential applications in assault, reconnaissance, and extraction roles, particularly in urban or heavily mined environments.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has not commented on the incident, and there has been no independent verification of the event from Russian sources. However, footage released by Ukrainian channels appears to show coordinated movements of unmanned vehicles in close proximity to enemy positions, as well as the subsequent movement of surrendered personnel.

This development aligns with a growing trend in Ukraine’s defence sector, which has increasingly turned to indigenous technological solutions to offset manpower and logistical disadvantages. The use of robotic systems, including the domestically produced “Targan” and others, is being further supported by partnerships between Ukraine’s military units and domestic tech volunteers and manufacturers.

The Third Assault Brigade has been among the more prominent units in terms of adopting and publicising advanced battlefield technologies. Their involvement in both high-intensity combat and technological experimentation places them at the centre of Ukraine’s efforts to modernise its military under wartime conditions.

As of now, this robot-led operation remains a singular event, but officials and observers alike suggest that such tactics may become more frequent as systems mature and battlefield conditions demand increased automation.