AI-Powered Unmanned Ground Vehicles Deployed in Ukraine Combat
Ukraine's Third Army Corps is deploying unmanned ground vehicles called Hyenas equipped with explosives on the frontline in combat operations. The military aims to replace about one-third of frontline troops with these autonomous systems by year-end as part of its warfare strategy.
What happened
Ukraine's Third Army Corps has deployed unmanned ground vehicles called 'Hyenas' on the frontline in northeastern Ukraine. These four-wheeled vehicles are loaded with approximately 20 kilograms of explosives and are used to attack enemy dugouts and halt advances.
Workshops near the frontline, including one run by unit NC13 of the Third Army Corps, prepare these vehicles for combat. Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi stated the corps plans to replace around one third of its frontline troops with UGVs by the end of the year.
Reported impact
Ukraine's military describes the deployment as a critical component of its strategy to preserve troops' lives on a drone-saturated battlefield where ground movement can prove deadly. Similar UGV models have reportedly captured Russian prisoners.
Index analysis
Brigadier General Biletskyi described the replacement of infantrymen with unmanned ground vehicles as the next 'revolution' in warfare. He stated that infantry now performs just 10% of the tasks it did before constant aerial threats emerged.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.