Ukraine says robotic systems have helped its Operation Vivaldi defeat the northern arm of a Russian pincer movement and recapture up to 96 square miles of territory. Heavy drones dropped explosive ground robots more than six miles behind Russian lines to attack supply routes, while other wheeled robots cleared mines ahead of advancing infantry, reducing risks to Ukrainian soldiers.

The Ukrainian Third Army Corps said robots cleared mines along more than 18 miles of routes, a task that would normally require two sapper companies. Robots reportedly handle about 60 per cent of mines in the corps’ operational area and are increasingly being used for resupply, casualty evacuation and combat. Ukraine’s advances have also been supported by strikes on Russian fuel supplies and electronic-warfare capabilities, as well as systems that reportedly neutralised around 20,000 Russian drones.