Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps deploys air-dropped kamikaze UGV for first time during offensive in Donetsk Oblast
Ukrainian soldiers have air-dropped unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) behind Russian lines during the Operation Vivaldi offensive in northern Donetsk Oblast. The manoeuvre helped the defence forces to liberate two villages and clear another.
Source: 3rd Army Corps on Telegram
Details: The fighters used heavy bomber drones to deliver the kamikaze UGVs deep into Russian territory. Brigadier General and Corps Commander Andrii Biletskyi said the ground robots were air-dropped over 10 km into the Russian rear in the "first such operation in the world".
Quote from the 3rd Army Corps: "Heavy bombers of the 3rd Army Corps dropped ground kamikaze robots deep into enemy territory. Infantry wins wars, but we protect our infantry, which is why the robots go to the enemy first."
Details: Meanwhile, the corps' fighters utilised a system of electronic warfare and air defence assets to "blind" Russian reconnaissance drones so that the Russians were unable to uncover the plan for the offensive, the unit explained.
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Background:
- The 3rd Corps reported the first results of the Operation Vivaldi offensive in northern Donetsk Oblast on 15 September 2026. During the first two stages of the offensive, the Ukrainian military liberated the villages of Serednie, Shandryholove and Derylove and cleared Korovii Yar, Oleksandrivka, Novoselivka, Yarova and Drobysheve.
- The defence forces have restored Ukrainian control over 125 sq km of territory, 50 sq km of which has been de-occupied.
- Earlier, Ukrainska Pravda reported that in July 2026, Ukrainian troops conducted a combat operation using an unmanned ground vehicle that had been delivered by an uncrewed surface vessel to the occupied Kinburn Spit.
- During the UGV landing on the Kinburn Spit, a remotely controlled Wolly 7.62 weapon station was used.
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