Robots Evacuate Wounded Soldiers in Ukraine

Ukraine is utilizing ground robots to evacuate wounded soldiers, a necessary adaptation to the dangers of modern drone warfare. Jeffrey Wells, a US Navy veteran with combat experience, stated that these systems are effective despite not being perfect. He advocates for the West to prioritize cheap, expendable technology over expensive, sophisticated platforms. The goal is to get usable equipment into the field immediately to save lives, rather than waiting for engineering perfection.

Western militaries are observing these developments as they face challenges in maintaining the 'golden hour'—the critical 60-minute window for trauma care. Without air superiority, traditional medevac is often impossible. Consequently, the US Army and other NATO forces are exploring uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) for these missions. However, the current focus in Ukraine remains on functionality and cost-effectiveness, with many systems costing under $10,000.

Under constant threat from aerial drones, Ukrainian forces are turning to ground-based robotics to retrieve the injured. The airspace is often too dangerous for human rescuers, prompting the shift to uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs). These robots function essentially as remote-controlled stretchers, moving wounded personnel out of the line of fire.

According to reports, these robots are not limited to medical evacuation. They are being deployed for a variety of combat support roles:

• Carrying supplies to front-line positions
• Acting as mobile munitions or bombs
• Installing anti-tank mines
• Evacuating injured troops

While the technology is gaining attention, UGVs still represent a small fraction of the total drones used in the conflict. Many of these systems are manufactured by Ukrainian companies or partners within Europe.

Jeffrey Wells, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq now working with the nonprofit Task Force Antal, believes the West is looking at these systems the wrong way. He argues against overengineering and overspending. Wells noted that while the robots he saw were 'low tech,' they got the job done.

His philosophy is straightforward: quantity over quality. He explained that he would rather have ten robots worth $1,000 than a single advanced unit worth $100,000. The reasoning is that these machines are targets; they will be jammed, break down, or be destroyed by enemy fire.

Wells stated, "You kind of just need something that's effective, essentially a stretcher with wheels that gives hope to the person that's injured." Keeping the cost low ensures that troops are not hesitant to use them due to financial concerns.

Despite their utility, these robots are far from foolproof. Ukrainian soldiers have identified significant limitations. Because the battlefield is saturated with surveillance, the robots are easy to spot and vulnerable to attack. They can be jammed electronically or simply break down mechanically.

Oleksandr Yabchanka, head of robotic systems for the Da Vinci Wolves Battalion, described them as a last resort tool. He warned that relying on them could sometimes leave a wounded soldier in an 'even worse situation.' Wells echoed this sentiment, calling them a 'last hope kind of thing.' He emphasized that because they are a last resort, they 'shouldn't cost a lot of money' and should be easily replaced.

The loss rate is high; one commander noted that units might lose three or four machines in a single week, adding up to significant costs even for cheaper units.

The conflict in Ukraine is forcing a reevaluation of casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) doctrine in the West. For decades, US and NATO forces relied on the 'golden hour'—the critical first hour after injury where survival rates are highest. This was achieved through air superiority and medevac helicopters like the Black Hawk.

In a conflict against a near-peer adversary like Russia or China, air superiority cannot be assumed. As a result, the US Army has been testing UGVs for years. In a 2016 test, a ground robot evacuated a casualty to an uncrewed aircraft. More recently, in 2025, an Army aeromedical officer suggested drones could transport soldiers to ambulance exchange points to preserve the golden hour.

However, cost remains a major hurdle. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll highlighted the vulnerability of expensive systems, noting, "We can’t sustain a couple-million-dollar piece of equipment that can be taken out with an $800 drone and munition." This aligns with the lessons from Ukraine: the future of battlefield robotics may be defined by affordability and expendability rather than high-end sophistication.