GoKawiilImage: 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.
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