MYKOLAIV REGION, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have carried out what military officials describe as the world's first known combat operation in which an unmanned surface vessel (USV) transported and deployed an armed unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) onto enemy-held territory. The mission took place on the Russian-occupied Kinburn Spit in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv region.
According to the 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, the operation was conducted by its 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion, marking a new step in the integration of different unmanned systems for frontline combat missions.
Unmanned Boat Delivered Armed Ground Robot to Occupied Shore
During the operation, operators remotely guided an unmanned maritime platform across the Black Sea to the occupied coastline of the Kinburn Spit. After reaching shore, the vessel successfully unloaded an armed ground robot, which then continued its assigned combat mission behind Russian positions under remote control.
The brigade described the mission as the first known combat operation of its kind, stating that the robotic system was delivered by sea, landed on occupied Ukrainian territory, and employed to complete its assigned task.
No soldiers. Just machines.
— Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) July 13, 2026
Ukraine has carried out the world's first known combat mission in which a sea drone transported and deployed an armed ground robot behind Russian lines on the occupied Kinburn Spit. pic.twitter.com/zyJdFXWxVb
The operation was overseen by Colonel Oleh Makukha, commander of the 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, while Major Denys Hipik, commander of the 1st Unmanned Systems Battalion, directly coordinated the mission.
In its official statement, the brigade said the operation reflects a growing focus on using unmanned systems for high-risk combat tasks in order to reduce the exposure of military personnel to enemy fire.
Likely Use of the Ukrainian-Made Rys Ground Robot
The Ukrainian military did not officially identify the unmanned ground vehicle used during the mission. However, footage released by the brigade indicates that it was likely the Rys (Lynx) robotic platform developed by the Ukrainian company Roboneers.
The vehicle used in the operation appeared to be equipped with a PKT 7.62mm machine gun, a weapon commonly integrated into Ukrainian robotic combat platforms.
The Rys family of unmanned ground vehicles is currently employed by Ukrainian forces in several roles, including:
- Logistics and supply transport
- Casualty evacuation
- Engineering support
- Direct combat support
Some variants can also be fitted with specialized equipment for mine-laying and demining operations.
The base version of the Rys platform is designed to carry payloads of up to 150 kilograms, while the larger Rys PRO variant can transport up to 300 kilograms. The system can also be equipped with the ShaBlya remote weapon station for armed missions.
Kinburn Spit Remains a Highly Contested Area
The Kinburn Spit is one of the most heavily contested coastal areas in southern Ukraine. Russian forces maintain extensive surveillance networks in the area using drones, observation systems, and artillery coverage, making conventional amphibious landings particularly dangerous.
Using an unmanned surface vessel to transport an armed ground robot allows Ukrainian forces to carry out missions in these heavily defended coastal areas without placing soldiers directly at risk during the initial landing.
Part of Ukraine's Expanding Use of Robotic Systems
The latest operation reflects Ukraine's continued expansion of robotic systems across battlefield operations.
In June 2026, Ukraine's 115th Mechanized Brigade reported using an armed unmanned ground vehicle to provide fire support while clearing Russian positions in the village of Novoplatonivka in the Kharkiv region.
The Ministry of Defense has also reported a growing use of unmanned ground vehicles for logistics and casualty evacuation missions, highlighting the increasing role of robotic systems across different military tasks.
A New Tactical Application for Sea Drones
While Ukrainian sea drones have been widely used throughout the war against Russian naval forces—primarily for strike missions and attacks on maritime targets—the Kinburn Spit operation represents a different application.
Instead of serving as a weapon itself, the unmanned surface vessel acted as a transport platform, delivering an armed ground robot directly onto occupied coastline. This effectively turned the maritime drone into an unmanned landing craft capable of inserting robotic systems into contested territory.
The mission demonstrates how different categories of unmanned platforms can be combined to conduct operations in areas where conventional troop landings would face significant risks from surveillance, artillery, and drone attacks.
According to the 123rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade, the operation represents "the first known combat mission of this format in the world," reflecting Ukraine's ongoing efforts to integrate maritime and ground robotic systems into coordinated battlefield operations.
Source : united24media
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