Russian robots deployed in Ukraine are currently used mainly as self-propelled ground platforms to evacuate wounded soldiers, transport cargo and clear mines, retired Colonel Andrey Koshkin told Russian news outlet Lenta.ru on Wednesday.
Koshkin, who serves as head of the department of political analysis at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, explained that humanoid robotic systems remain ineffective under direct combat conditions due to high costs and technical limitations.
Russia has established specialized uncrewed systems forces that include self-propelled ground platforms alongside aerial drones, Koshkin said. On the line of combat contact, military units rely on these automated platforms for specialized tactical operations.
Among the specialized robotic systems used to clear complex minefield installations are platforms such as the Uran-9 and the Sfera. The Uran-9 is a tracked unmanned combat vehicle designed for fire support and reconnaissance, while the Sfera is a wireless reconnaissance device engineered to inspect hazardous combat environments. Plekhanov Russian University of Economics is a public research university based in Moscow.
Combat limitations of humanoid systems
Humanoid robots represent complex and expensive technology that cannot yet meet the demands of direct battlefield engagement, according to Koshkin. Military experts noted that humanoid units are not sophisticated enough to move across rubble or act as an effective force against assault troops.
For now, operational deployment remains focused on wheeled or tracked platforms. These automated units support frontline troops by carrying military supplies and evacuating casualties from difficult areas exposed to constant artillery shelling.
Mine clearance platforms and logistics ground vehicles allow military units to maintain supply lines and recover injured personnel in high-risk zones while minimizing direct exposure for human troops.
Development of military robotics
Work on the military application of robotics and artificial intelligence is proceeding actively in Russia, Koshkin said. However, he noted that current capabilities remain confined to support roles on the battlefield.
The comments follow earlier reports that a modernized version of the Shturmovik ground robotic complex has been deployed to the conflict zone. The Shturmovik platform is capable of transporting up to 50 kilograms of cargo across rough cross-country terrain.
Lenta.ru is a major online news publication based in Moscow that covers Russian national defense, security policy and international affairs.
