- Ukraine’s 5th Assault Brigade used a ground-based Droid robotic system to stop a Russian MT-LB armored vehicle during a night attack.
- The robot, armed with a 12.7mm machine gun, engaged the vehicle at close range, neutralizing it and the accompanying infantry.
Ukrainian assault troops have used an armed unmanned vehicle to intercept and disable a Russian armored vehicle during an attempted nighttime attack, according to a statement released by the 5th Kyiv Assault Brigade on December 10.
The unit published thermal camera footage showing the Droid robotic combat system engaging an enemy MT-LB with mounted infantry as it approached Ukrainian positions. The incident reportedly occurred during a Russian effort to breach the brigade’s defensive line under the cover of darkness.
“In the night, the enemy was preparing to storm the positions of the 5th Assault Brigade,” the brigade said in its official communication. “Our crews activated the Droid ground combat platforms equipped with a heavy machine gun.”
The MT-LB — a Soviet-era tracked armored vehicle commonly used to transport troops and supplies — was detected by an operator using a thermal imaging system. As the vehicle moved into the weapon’s engagement zone, the Droid opened fire.
“One of the operators spots an MT-LB with a landing party moving directly into the kill zone through the thermal imager,” the unit reported. “Bursts of 12.7mm rounds punch through the vehicle’s side, striking the crew and assault infantry.”
According to the statement, the hit vehicle lost steering control and passed within inches of the ground-based robot before coming to a stop after further strikes to the rear.
The brigade added that a reconnaissance drone was later dispatched to assess the aftermath. “Enemy infantry, who suffered fatal wounds, died right next to the disabled armored vehicle. The assault was thwarted,” the statement said.
The MT-LB’s neutralization highlights the evolving role of unmanned ground systems in Ukraine’s defensive operations. While Ukraine has widely deployed first-person-view (FPV) attack drones and loitering munitions in the air domain, the use of remote-controlled or autonomous ground platforms in direct combat roles remains relatively rare and experimental.
The Droid platform, as used by the 5th Assault Brigade, appears to be equipped with a heavy machine gun and thermal optics, enabling operators to engage enemy targets without exposing personnel to return fire. While the exact specifications of the system remain classified, the footage suggests it can operate close to enemy positions under low-visibility conditions.
“The 5th Assault Brigade continues to implement modern technologies and change the rules of modern warfare,” the unit said.