Ukraine uses drones to deploy combat robots behind Russian lines

Operation Vivaldi unmanned ground vehicles kamikaze robots drone warfare 3rd Army Corps

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps has implemented a novel combat tactic during a secret offensive known as Operation Vivaldi. The operation utilizes heavy transport drones to drop kamikaze Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) deep behind Russian lines, bypassing minefields and difficult terrain. These small, explosive-laden robots are reportedly deployed up to 19 kilometers into occupied territory.

According to the 3rd Army Corps, this combination of aerial and ground robotics has enabled Ukrainian forces to reclaim approximately 124 to 125 square kilometers of territory in the Donetsk and Lyman regions. The unit also claims the operation has resulted in the deaths or injuries of 3,000 Russian soldiers. Additionally, unmanned machines were used to clear roughly 30 kilometers of minefields over two nights to facilitate troop advances.

In a separate development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russian airstrikes have caused casualties in Zaporizhzhia, with two deaths and 14 injuries reported. He noted that Russian attacks have targeted various regions, including Kyiv, Odesa, and Kharkiv, and called for increased sanctions from the US and EU as Russia continues to escalate its strikes.

Entities

3rd Army Corps · 3rd Separate Assault Brigade · Andrii Biletskyi · Andriy Biletskyi · Donetsk · Kasta radar system · Russia · Ukraine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Kamikaze UGVs were dropped by heavy drones deep into Russian territory. vosveteit.zoznam.sk · www.armyweb.cz · www.kurir.rs · www.upday.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Unmanned machines cleared approximately 30 kilometers of minefields over two nights. vosveteit.zoznam.sk
[● 4 SOURCES] Heavy drones were used to transport kamikaze Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) more than 10 kilometers behind Russian lines. vosveteit.zoznam.sk · www.armyweb.cz · www.kurir.rs · www.upday.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Ukraine has reclaimed 124 square kilometers of occupied territory through this operation. www.kreiszeitung.de · www.mannheim24.de · www.upday.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Operation Vivaldi has helped Ukraine kill 3,000 Russian soldiers. www.kreiszeitung.de · www.kurir.rs · www.mannheim24.de · www.upday.com