Ukrainian forces use amphibious robot for front-line supply mission for first time

One of the first such missions was carried out by troops from a separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They used a Ukrainian-made amphibious unmanned ground vehicle.

During the mission, the UGV traveled more than 40 kilometers (25 miles), crossing both land and water. It delivered supplies and ammunition to Ukrainian positions.

Water obstacles remain a challenge for military logistics. Rivers, canals and wetlands can hinder the movement of conventional ground robots or make some routes impassable.

An amphibious UGV eliminates the need to switch vehicles along such routes. It operates as a conventional unmanned ground vehicle on land and can enter the water and continue moving when necessary.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and Brave1 continue to support the development of amphibious UGVs. In June 2026, Brave1 added a dedicated amphibious UGV category to its updated grant program.

“We are expanding the capabilities of robotic systems so that Ukrainian troops have more technological tools to carry out combat missions,” the Defense Ministry said.

On Sept. 3, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s Staff focused primarily on accelerating the production of high-speed interceptors to counter jet-powered Shahed drones.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine has manufacturers capable of meeting the challenge. Prototypes have already been developed, and work is underway to bring the new weapons to the required level of effectiveness.

On Sept. 23, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had successfully tested four new interceptors.