Overview

• Ukraine is expediting the development and deployment of 15,000 unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) this year, targeting high-risk combat roles to reduce human casualties.
• Initial trials of robot-only assaults by Ukrainian forces have shown tactical promise but highlight significant challenges, including terrain limitations and system integration issues.
• NATO allies are formalizing plans for a 'drone wall' along the alliance's Eastern flank, combining surveillance and defense systems to deter potential Russian aggression.
• Russia remains technologically ahead in Arctic drone operations, deploying domestically produced UAVs designed to withstand extreme cold and secure remote borders effectively.
• Experts emphasize that the success of unmanned systems depends on their integration into broader military ecosystems, with traditional artillery still playing a critical role in modern warfare.