Ukraine is arming war robots with grenade launchers to hit the Russians

Ukraine is mounting grenade launchers on uncrewed ground vehicles to attack Russian positions while keeping soldiers farther from the battlefield’s increasingly dangerous “kill zones,” where drones make movement hazardous. Grenade launchers can strike concealed enemies without direct line of sight, unlike machine guns, and can be operated remotely. DevDroid’s TW-40, for example, can travel up to 70 kilometers on paved roads or 50 kilometers off-road, while its launcher reaches 1.5 kilometers. Operators can control such systems from secure locations tens of kilometers behind the front.

The tactic combines familiar infantry weapons with robotic platforms as combat shifts toward smaller groups and scattered defensive positions. Ukraine’s Third Army Corps said robots carrying dual Bullspike launchers attacked Russian shelters during Operation Vivaldi, reportedly entering the shelters before detonating and clearing positions without exposing infantry. Ground robots can also carry machine guns or RPGs, and work alongside drones that locate targets and direct fire. Their roles extend beyond assaults to logistics, medical evacuation, and mine-laying. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said it had contracted more than 22,000 ground robots in 2026 by June, nearly twice the previous year’s total. Military units and manufacturers describe robotic systems as an increasingly widespread way to preserve personnel by moving weapons and tasks into the danger zone instead of people.