Ukraine’s Gnom Robot Can Now Lay Five TM-62 Anti-Tank Mines

Ukraine’s growing reliance on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) has taken another step forward with the latest upgrade to the “Gnom” UGV, developed by the Kramatorsk-based company Temerland. Once known primarily for carrying out reconnaissance and light logistics roles, the compact robotic platform has now been modified to perform a much more lethal task: remotely placing anti-tank mines on the battlefield.

A Deadlier Upgrade

Originally, the Gnom could transport and deploy two TM-62 anti-tank landmines, a Soviet-era staple still widely used by Ukraine’s armed forces. With its latest upgrade, the vehicle’s capacity has increased to five TM-62 mines, significantly improving its effectiveness in creating improvised minefields without exposing soldiers to direct danger.

This development highlights how Ukraine is adapting low-cost robotic platforms to perform roles that reduce risk to frontline troops while enhancing defensive and offensive capabilities. In practical terms, one Gnom can now lay a small but potent anti-armor trap across likely enemy routes of advance, slowing or even halting mechanized assaults.

Features of the Gnom UGV

The Gnom is a compact tracked platform, weighing roughly 200kg, with a low silhouette that allows it to operate discreetly. Controlled remotely via encrypted radio signals, it can navigate rough terrain, urban environments, or forested areas where human soldiers would be exposed.

Beyond mine-laying, the Gnom has also been adapted for surveillance missions, equipped with cameras and sensors for battlefield reconnaissance. Some prototypes have been tested in combat resupply roles, transporting ammunition and equipment to front-line units under fire. The platform can reportedly travel several kilometers on a single charge, with swappable batteries enabling rapid redeployment.

Battlefield Significance

The upgrade comes as Ukraine faces sustained armored assaults, particularly from Russian main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. While anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and artillery remain the backbone of Ukraine’s anti-armor strategy, robotic systems like the Gnom provide an additional, low-cost method of attrition.

Unlike traditional mine-laying, which requires combat engineers to manually plant explosives under fire, the Gnom can be sent forward under remote control, drop its payload, and withdraw. This not only saves time but also reduces casualties in one of the most dangerous battlefield tasks.

Expanding Ukraine’s Robotic Arsenal

Ukraine has become a testing ground for military robotics, with systems ranging from kamikaze drones to logistics UGVs appearing across the front. The Gnom sits at the intersection of these trends—simple, affordable, and highly adaptable.

While Western militaries have often focused on larger and more sophisticated robotic systems, Ukraine has leaned on small, modular designs that can be mass-produced and rapidly fielded. The upgraded Gnom demonstrates how even modest platforms can deliver outsized strategic value when adapted creatively.

The Temerland Gnom UGV’s mine-laying upgrade illustrates how necessity is driving innovation in Ukraine’s war effort. By increasing its carrying capacity from two to five anti-tank mines, the system now poses a greater threat to armored units while keeping Ukrainian soldiers out of harm’s way.

As Ukraine continues to scale up its use of unmanned systems, the Gnom represents a practical example of how robotics can be weaponized to shape the battlefield, protect personnel, and disrupt enemy momentum—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional weapons systems.