Ukraine’s $25,000 Combat Robot Holds the Line for Six Weeks

A Ukrainian unmanned ground vehicle has set a new precedent on the battlefield. The Droid TW 12.7, a tracked combat robot developed by DevDroid and priced at roughly USD $25,000, successfully defended a strategically vital crossroads for six consecutive weeks, entirely replacing a human infantry unit.

Operating with the 3rd Assault Brigade, the robot was deployed each morning and retrieved each evening. Armed with a 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun and supported by Starlink and LTE connectivity, it engaged Russian forces at distances up to 1,000 meters, preventing multiple attempted advances. With a 14-kilometer range, it consistently delivered suppressive fire and denied enemy movement throughout the mission.

Commanders stated that the prolonged deployment demonstrates how ground robots are evolving from support assets to frontline defenders. Ukraine is now exploring coordinated groups of attack UGVs—two to four robots operating together—to expand their operational impact, while also shifting operators farther from the front due to their specialized training.

The Droid TW 12.7 became officially approved by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense in late 2024 and represents a growing shift in warfare: robots not just assisting troops, but in some cases standing in for them.