Ukraine has deployed a sea drone equipped with a robot carrying a firearm for the first time. This happened during a mission in Russian-controlled southern Ukraine, according to soldiers in the region. The deployment was captured in a 57-second video posted by specialists from Ukraine’s 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade.
The video shows a ground robot on a floating platform approaching a narrow shoreline. It rolls off the drone and onto land. The sea drone then retreats into the water, and the robot targets a distant object. Newsweek could not verify the video’s authenticity.
Drone technology on Ukraine’s battlefields evolves rapidly. Both Russia and Ukraine continually test and deploy advanced ground, aerial, and maritime drones. Although Ukraine’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are less publicized than its flying drones, they play a critical role. These vehicles help avoid human casualties by performing missions such as rescuing injured troops, laying mines, or attacking targets.
In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that troops had used only robots to reclaim territory from Russian forces. The 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade’s 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion emphasized the innovation in warfare in a Telegram post.
Targeting Key Russian Positions
An animation in the brigade’s video illustrated a launch from Ukrainian-held territory along the southern coast. The target was the northern edge of the Kinburn Spit, located at the end of its peninsula. The Kinburn Spit, stretching six miles, strategically controls access to the port of Mykolaiv. Analysts report that Russian forces have used the spit for artillery strikes on areas held by Ukrainians.
Russia seized the Kinburn Spit following its February 2022 invasion and has held it despite Ukrainian attacks. In late June, Ukrainian forces claimed their flag was flying on the spit after operations caused Russian forces to abandon positions. However, a Ukrainian navy spokesperson quickly clarified that although some Russian forces had retreated, they had not fully withdrawn.
Russian military bloggers report that Ukrainian forces have disrupted Russian logistics in the area, complicating their operations. Military efforts continue to have significant impacts on the control of this strategic location.
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