Ukraine is teaching NATO troops how ground robots work in war — and where they don't
Business Insider · 2026-08-21
Ukraine is actively sharing its battlefield experiences with ground robots with NATO forces during Operation Legio training at Camp Jomsborg in Poland, an initiative Business Insider visited in June. Brigadier Atle Molde, the Norwegian commander of Task Force Legio, confirmed that Ukrainians are teaching Western trainers about the practical applications and limitations of uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs). This two-way exchange provides updated knowledge on integrating and utilizing ground robots, which Ukraine deploys to attack Russian forces, protect soldiers, and mitigate casualties, especially given constant drone threats to supply lines. While Ukraine's defense ministry contracted over 22,000 ground robots since early 2024—double the number from 2023—NATO allies like Norway are carefully evaluating these lessons. They aim to adapt relevant tactics to their own contexts, acknowledging that their potential conflicts and environmental factors, such as Northern Norway's snowfall, differ significantly from Ukraine's war, and some Ukrainian innovations are born from being "the last option."
*The full article also explores specific instances of ground robot usage by Ukraine and further details the strategic considerations for NATO adoption.*