- A giant Russian robotic system known as Chelnok has been spotted supporting logistics operations in dangerous sections of the front line.
- Chelnok was previously presented in 2024 by Kurgan-based MobiDik as a mine-clearing robot built on the Phoenix electric all-terrain platform.
A giant Russian robotic system known as “Chelnok” has been spotted on the battlefield, where it appears to be supporting logistics operations in dangerous sections of the front line.
The new version of a large drone was spotted on the Kharkiv direction.
The sighting is notable because the Chelnok first drew public attention in 2024 during a demonstration incident in which the vehicle reportedly ran into a serviceman. At the time, the platform was introduced not as a logistics carrier, but as part of a mine-clearing system intended to open safe lanes through minefields.
According to previously released information, the Chelnok robot was developed by the Kurgan-based company MobiDik LLC. The system was described as a remote-controlled robotic platform built on the Phoenix electric all-terrain vehicle chassis and equipped with the UR-83P line-charge demolition system.
Its stated purpose was to clear passages through anti-tank minefields by detonating explosive charges across a corridor approximately six meters wide. Such systems are designed to create safe routes for troops and vehicles by triggering or destroying mines from a distance, reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas.
The latest battlefield appearance suggests that the same platform, or a closely related variant, is now being used to move supplies in high-risk sectors near the front. While no official Russian statement has been released on the specific deployment, the visual identification of the Chelnok in a logistics role points to a broader use of unmanned ground systems for battlefield support.
The vehicle can be understood as a robotic ground carrier capable of operating in areas where the risk to human drivers is high, including zones exposed to artillery fire, drones, or mines. Using such a system for resupply missions could help reduce personnel exposure in contested sections of the front line.