Zelenskyy announced the directive in an evening video address on April 27.
“This is the next big step in defending Ukraine — one that really changes the situation after the transition to [aerial and naval] drones,” Zelenskyy said.
“You can no longer imagine defense without UAVs and you can’t imagine it without ground robotic complexes either. Production and deliveries must be increased. This year we have already contracted more than double last year’s volume, and that level must be even higher. The task for the defense minister and the General Staff is at least 50,000 ground robotic complexes. Everyone must understand: this is about saving lives. Logistics at the front, evacuation of the wounded, combat missions — the use of these systems is rapidly expanding.”
On April 22, Politico reported that Ukraine’s Defense
Forces plan to replace up to 30% of frontline personnel with robotic systems in
2026 on the most difficult sections of the front.