Ukraine says heavy bomber drones air-dropped exploding war robots miles behind Russian lines during a secretive operation

Ukraine is increasingly using robots to fight, and says dropping them with drones behind Russian lines is helping to retake territory.

Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images A Ukrainian unit said it air-dropped explosive-laden war robots behind Russian lines.

The Third Army Corps said it pioneered air-deploying ground robots.

The unit said it took ground in Operation Vivaldi, which remains largely secret.

A Ukrainian unit used heavy bomber drones to drop war robots behind Russian lines as part of a secretive operation that it says has helped retake multiple settlements.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps on Sunday announced that Operation Vivaldi, near the eastern city of Lyman, had so far brought 125 square kilometers back under Ukrainian control, including 50 square kilometers retaken from Russian occupation.

Many details of this significant operation remain undisclosed because it is taking place under "conditions of maximum information silence," Brig.

Gen.

Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Third Army Corps, said in a video shared by the unit.

But he revealed one key tactic that the unit says it pioneered.

"The Third Army Corps was the first in the world to begin air-deploying ground robotic systems," he said, adding that "our heavy bomber drones deliver suicide ground drones more than 10 kilometers into the enemy's rear." Ukraine has increasingly been using both aerial drones and ground robots to fight Russia's invasion, using them to scout and attack areas considered too dangerous for troops.

Biletskyi said that during assault operations, drones and uncrewed ground vehicles "always move ahead of the infantry," helping clear the way for troops that follow.

The Corps said in a separate post on Monday that its robots had become a key part of the offensive, completing over 15,700 successful missions and delivering around 3,300 tons of cargo.

The unit said that during the ongoing operation, its artillery and uncrewed systems have hit Russian command posts, communication hubs, logistics, river crossings, and reserves.