UGV Operations

Confirmed and claimed Unmanned Ground Vehicle operations from both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, from early 2023 to present. Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces recorded over 24,500 UGV missions in Q1 2026 alone — a near-tripling since late 2025 — across combat, logistics, and casualty evacuation roles. The data tracks a doctrinal transformation: the progressive removal of infantry from the most lethal battlefield environments.

Key findings
Mission growth
Ukraine's DELTA combat system recorded 9,000+ frontline UGV missions in March 2026 alone, compared to 2,900 in November 2025. This 3× growth over four months reflects rapid institutionalisation of UGV doctrine across 167 military units. The quarterly total for Q1 2026 (24,500+ missions) exceeds the entire previous year's recorded operations.
Mission types
Operations span combat (direct fire support, kamikaze strikes), logistics (ammunition and equipment resupply to frontline positions), and casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions. The DELTA system's bonus point scheme incentivises CASEVAC particularly — 70 to 120 points per evacuated wounded, depending on complexity — creating economic incentives aligned with tactical need.
Systems in use
Documented Ukrainian systems include the Ironclad MUTT, D-21, Themis, and various commercial platform modifications. Russian systems include the Marker, Uran-9, and improvised FPV-armed ground platforms. UGV-on-UGV engagements have been recorded, representing an emerging doctrinal domain with no historical precedent at this scale.
9,000+
Missions in Mar 2026
24,500+
Missions Q1 2026
167
Units equipped (Mar)
Growth vs Nov 2025
Mission data via Ukraine MoD DELTA combat system · MoD Mar 2026 ↗ · DELTA tracking ↗
Live data — UGV operations log
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Side
Outcome
Year
Date ↕Side ↕UGV System ↕Operation / TargetLocationOutcome ↕NotesSource

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Methodology

Individual combat events are included where credible open-source evidence exists. DELTA mission statistics (aggregate totals) are sourced from official Ukrainian Ministry of Defence releases. Data compiled by Andro Mathewson, PhD Candidate in War Studies, King's College London.