Ukrainian drones have hit over 3,000 Russian unmanned ground vehicles since start of year
Since the beginning of 2026, the Ukrainian military has hit over 3,000 Russian unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) using drones.
Source: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
Details: The strikes on UGVs have been confirmed through the Delta battlefield situational awareness system. According to the Defence Ministry, August was the month when the highest number of Russian ground robotic systems – 511 – was hit.
Quote: "Every enemy ground drone disabled disrupts the enemy's logistics, reduces their capabilities for reconnaissance and assault actions, and requires them to compensate for the loss of robotic platforms with additional resources and manpower."
Ukraine's Defence Ministry has also published the numbers of Russian UGVs that have been struck with drones each month since the start of 2026:
- January – 460
- February – 293
- March – 215
- April – 223
- May – 323
- June – 370
- July – 456
- August – 511
The Ministry added that the defence forces struck nearly 200 Russian ground robots using UAVs in the first half of September.
Background:
- Ukraine's General Staff began reporting hits on Russian UGVs in its daily updates in May 2026.
- UP reported in June that new versions of the Depesha ground robotic system had been unveiled in Russia.
- Read more about how the Russians are developing ground robot technology, and the main problems they have encountered in scaling it up, here: "Russia's army of robots: how Moscow is using ground drones".
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