A milestone in the war: robots and drones capture soldiers in Ukraine

Last update: 10/07/2025

  • For the first time, robotic systems and drones have captured Russian soldiers in Ukraine without direct human intervention.
  • The operation, carried out in the Kharkiv region, was led by the NC13 unit of the 'Deus Ex Machina' company of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.
  • The use of unmanned technology has allowed Ukraine to overcome previously impassable fortifications and reduce risks to its soldiers.
  • This event marks a turning point in modern conflict and foreshadows a future in which military automation will be key.

Robots in conflict in Ukraine

The use of robots and drones in the war in Ukraine has just reached a new level. In a fact that until recently It was only imagined in science fiction stories, Ukrainian official sources have reported that Russian soldiers have been captured solely through the deployment of unmanned systems, without any human infantry participating in the mission.

According to information released by the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade through its official channels, this military operation It represents the first time in history that enemy troops have surrendered to robotic platforms., without direct contact with soldiers. The published details confirm that the action took place in the región de Járkov, one of the most intense fronts of the conflict after the Russian invasion.

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How the operation unfolded without humans

military drones

The mission was carried out by the unit NC13 of the company 'DEUS EX MACHINA', and had the employment of drones FPV and armed robotic ground vehicles. First, air and ground systems attacked and destroyed Russian fortified positions, previously impassable by infantry. Air and ground systems attacked and destroyed Russian fortified positions, until then impassable for infantry.One of the robots then approached a shelter devastated by the explosions; faced with the imminent threat, the Russian soldiers opted to surrender, thus avoiding a possible detonation.

According to members of the brigade, The surviving occupants were removed from the area by aerial drones—colloquially called “birds”— and taken to Ukrainian territory, where they were taken into custody. There were no casualties among the members of the operation, since the entire process was organized remotely and without the physical presence of Ukrainian troops on the ground, which raises a new perspective regarding the safety of soldiers in high-intensity conflicts.

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Automation and new military tactics

The success of this action highlights the increasingly relevant role of military automation and robotics in the conflict. The brigade claims that this operation was The first successful assault carried out solely by unmanned platforms in a modern conflict. In the battle participated kamikaze drones, robotic platforms, and GRC systems (ground combat robots), demonstrating their versatility to assault, ensure tactical control and force surrenders.

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Until now, The use of drones in Ukraine had been mainly for reconnaissance, selective attacks or defense missions. However, this automated capture opens up new possibilities for reducing soldiers' exposure to danger and assigns increasingly complex tasks to remotely controlled systems. The presence of silent, relentless machines also disrupts the traditional dynamics of direct confrontation.

The impact on war and the future of combat

Drone warfare

The use of autonomous and remote-controlled systems responds to the need to protect Ukrainian troops and adapt to an environment where artillery and aerial surveillance are constant. Experts believe that the rapid developments in Ukraine are serving as a testing ground for a new generation of military technology, attracting interest from powers such as the United States and China.

US Admiral Milton Sands has stressed the importance of promote integration between manned and unmanned systems on the battlefield. The experience in Ukraine shows that this integration is already a reality, and that The weight of human combatants decreases as robotics takes a leading roleThis heralds an era in which automation will dictate the rules of armed conflict.

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Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine continue to develop new technological strategies, including automated ground vehicles, long-range drones, and electronic warfare systemsAll of this demonstrates a radical transformation in the way battles are fought.

The war in Ukraine is increasingly characterized by the presence of advanced robotic technology, and by situations that until recently seemed implausible, such as the surrender of soldiers to machines. This demonstrates that innovation is profoundly changing the rules of combat and that in the future, decisions and victories on the battlefield will depend largely on autonomous systems.