Russians repel attack by Ukrainian ground-robots armed with RPGs, in futuristic assault (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,716)

Every day, the Ukraine Battlefield update newsletter offers a clear look at how the war is unfolding on the ground. Subscribe for free here to get the full text delivered to your inbox. Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps is saving lives by sending robots into attacks. In Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka, Russians are being pushed out of built-up areas. Even after more than half a year, Z-patriots cannot fully admit defeat in Dnipropetrovsk region, but fear the situation in Komar. The death toll from the attack on Komyshuvakha has risen to 53. Kyiv has been plunged into darkness, without water or sewage services — Russia is attacking more intensely, and the capital was unprepared. The effectiveness of shooting down drones is improving very slowly. Maps of the day — Orikhiv. Velyka Novosilka direction. Videos of the day — what the failed ground-drone attack looked like from the Russian perspective; Kyiv without electricity; a MiG-29 shot down a drone with its cannon at point-blank range; a Geran-5 crashed into a field; a new type of interceptor drone. Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps sent dozens of robots into an attack. This was the same formation that carried out the successful Vivaldi operation near Lyman. During that operation, the corps had already used various innovative methods of deploying drones. Among other things, heavy aircraft transported armed ground drones deep behind Russian lines, catching Russian defences by surprise. Now, units under the command of Andriy Biletsky tried another innovation. So far, the course and outcome of the fighting are known only from Russian sources. Other information may emerge over time, but for now the attempt can be considered unsuccessful. Nevertheless, it is an extraordinary example of how an army suffering from a manpower shortage and seeking to protect its limited resources uses modern technology. It also suggests how drones could help break the deadlock at the front and shift from static to mobile warfare. The Russians claim that as many as 28 drones attacked without the direct involvement of a single Ukrainian soldier in combat. The Russian Telegram channel Military Informant counted two drones armed with US-made Mk 19 grenade launchers, 18 drones equipped with two RPGs each, and eight kamikaze drones loaded with explosives among those involved in the attack. To read this story, log in or subscribeEnjoy access to all articles and 25 years of archives, comment and gift articles. Become a subscriber for as low as €1,75 per week.Read without limitsAlready a subscriber? Login