Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has deployed its new “Lyut” unmanned ground combat vehicle in combat operations against Russian forces.
Exclusive footage shows the remotely operated vehicle engaging Russian positions in Sumy Oblast. The robot, armed with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun, maneuvered across difficult terrain including fallen trees and shell craters before opening fire on entrenched enemy troops.
GUR officials said the deployment of the Lyut combat robot created a suppression point that enabled other Ukrainian units to conduct tactical maneuvers.
Designed specifically as a combat platform, Lyut avoids compromises seen in multi-role ground robots. Its machine gun is mounted at the system’s center of mass to simplify turret control, and its low-profile chassis protects key components with Level 4 armor capable of resisting small arms fire.
The Lyut platform features front suspension and pivoting wheels designed for all-terrain mobility. Its solid rubber tires are reinforced on steel rims and are resistant to shrapnel and gunfire.
The robot is controlled by a single operator using a console similar to those employed for FPV drones. Ukrainian developers say soldiers with drone piloting experience can master Lyut’s controls in under three days. Two joysticks on the console allow the operator to maneuver the vehicle and control its weapons system simultaneously.
The Lyut maintains a control range of up to 3 kilometers in line-of-sight conditions. It is equipped with two optical cameras offering different fields of view and an optional thermal imaging sensor. Stabilization is not integrated into the weapon system, requiring the vehicle to halt for accurate firing.
Its magazine holds 550 rounds, and onboard optics allow targeting at distances of up to 800 meters. The system resists electronic warfare interference within a 700-meter radius, and communications range can be extended using fixed or drone-mounted relay stations.
Developers said Lyut was designed for defensive operations but can also perform static or mobile roles on the battlefield, acting as a decoy to draw enemy fire and reveal Russian positions.
The deployment underscores Ukraine’s growing use of unmanned systems in combat, as Kyiv adapts to Russian tactics and looks for ways to preserve manpower while increasing pressure on enemy forces.