Ukrainian Drone Holds Position for 6 Weeks

Image: devDroid TW 12.7 drone

A Ukrainian unmanned ground vehicle armed with a machine gun maintained a frontline position for more than six weeks, underscoring how robotic systems are becoming an integral part of high-intensity warfare according to strike UGV company commander.

A Robot Filling an Infantry Role

The remotely operated platform, designated the TW 12.7, was deployed to replace an infantry team at a contested crossroads, the commander of Ukraine’s “NC13” strike UGV company, who goes by Makar, told devDroid. Each day, the vehicle moved to the forward position to watch for Russian movements and deliver suppressive fire; each evening, it withdrew to a covered location.

Over the 45-day mission, the TW 12.7 responded to multiple calls for fire and “successfully carried out all of them,” Makar said. Russian forces were “constantly suppressed by the fire of the TW 12.7 droid,” preventing them from advancing through the sector.

The deployment highlights the increasing reliability of Ukraine’s domestically produced strike UGVs, which combine stabilized weapon stations, day-night optics, and remote-control links to maintain a persistent presence in exposed or lethal zones where human soldiers would face significant risk.

Expanding Role for Strike-Capable UGVs

Makar, whose unit forms part of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, said strike UGVs are now routinely employed to support infantry advances, reinforce defensive lines, and conduct sabotage tasks behind or near the front. Such systems, he argued, can remove some of the burden from infantry units engaged in continuous combat.

“These systems can provide support to infantry units, assist them during offensive actions, cover them during defensive actions, and carry out various sabotage tasks,” he said, adding that the TW 12.7 is currently “one of the best strike systems on the market that can be used in combat conditions.”

Ukraine’s accelerating use of ground robotics comes as both sides in the war experiment with remotely operated platforms for fire support, logistics, and explosive delivery. Kyiv has pushed domestic industry to rapidly develop new platforms to counter Russia’s numerical and firepower advantages.

Protecting Operators and Preserving Experience

Operator training has also become a critical element of Ukraine’s growing UGV capability. Those entering from civilian fields often require up to six weeks of instruction before being deployed. As a result, Makar said, losing experienced operators to unnecessary risks is not acceptable.

“Sending a person onto the battlefield to retrieve a robot, risking a life for a piece of metal—that’s unacceptable,” he noted. Instead, the brigade employs specialized evacuation modules or dispatches other UGVs to recover damaged equipment when possible.

To manage increasingly complex missions—sometimes involving several robots in a single operation—the unit consolidates operators in protected locations to improve coordination and maintain secure control links.

Stress Testing to Drive Industrial Improvement

Makar spoke during a crash-test and live-fire evaluation aimed at pushing Ukrainian manufacturers to refine their platforms for front-line realities. During the event, UGVs were tasked with navigating a 6–7 km route, operating under restricted visibility from a remote bunker, and firing accurately after crossing uneven ground. Such conditions often expose weaknesses in sensors, turrets, or mobility systems.

“The goal is not to say ‘this one made it, this one didn’t,’” he said. “The goal is to put the manufacturer into our conditions.”

He encouraged defence companies to collaborate—combining strong chassis designs, advanced turrets, and reliable software—and to work closely with combat units to understand operational needs. “Criticism is the main thing that helps improve systems,” he said. “Solving problems gives us better systems on the battlefield.”

Source: devDroid