Ukraine is working to develop robotic systems designed to replace soldiers in some of the most dangerous tasks on the battlefield. The first prototype is expected to be ready in about a month, according to Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s former defense minister.
Fedorov said the initial goal is not to build conventional humanoid robots. Instead, the machines will perform specific infantry tasks, including reloading machine guns, replacing batteries in sensors and launching drones.
One of the main challenges is cost. Existing robotic platforms capable of running the necessary software currently cost around $40,000–$70,000. For large-scale battlefield deployment, Fedorov said the price would need to fall to approximately $10,000–$20,000 per unit.
Ukraine’s military could eventually require tens of thousands of such systems. In the future, robots could also be used to evacuate wounded soldiers, deliver ammunition, conduct reconnaissance, and carry out mining and demining operations.
The battlefield robotics project is part of a broader initiative Fedorov has been developing since leaving the Defense Ministry. In addition to military robots, his team is working on a defense technology fund aimed at attracting Western capital and an analytical center focused on anticipating the next technological shifts in warfare.
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