Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces

Ukraine says its forces have taken around 250 Russian soldiers prisoner during an offensive in which remote-controlled, unmanned vehicles — dubbed 'zombie cars' — were reportedly used to lead assaults and draw fire. The operation highlights Kyiv's growing use of robotic systems on the battlefield to reduce risks to its own troops while pressuring Russian positions.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly erased recent Russian territorial gains in what is being called Operation Vivaldi, with robots performing combat airdrops and clearing mines on the battlefield. The operation is being highlighted as another example of Ukraine's growing use of unmanned ground systems to reduce risks to soldiers while carrying out dangerous tasks under fire.

Robert Brovdi, known as 'Magyar', who commands Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, is reported to have a $20 million bounty placed on him by the Kremlin. The reported price reflects the losses inflicted by Ukrainian drone units on Russian forces, for which Brovdi's command is considered responsible. The claim circulated via Ukrainian tech media and is drawing attention to the growing role of drone warfare in the conflict.