Robotic systems carried out 94 assault and sabotage operations during Operation Vivaldi, says NC13 unit commander

Unmanned ground vehicles became one of the key factors in the success of the Vivaldi offensive and delivered more than 200 strikes against the enemy. Mykola Zinkevych, callsign “Makar”, commander of the NC13 strike UGV unit, disclosed this in an interview with Defender Media.

UGVs carried out 94 assault and sabotage missions without risk to Ukrainian troops, and their deployment saved the lives of about 2,500 people.

In the initial stage, ground drones distracted the enemy and forced it to reveal its surveillance and fire assets, drawing all focus onto itself. While the enemy was hunting the robots, assault groups entered its battle formations unimpeded.

Afterwards, kamikaze UGVs and drones with combat modules kept up constant fire on command posts, UAV operator positions and areas where personnel were concentrated. This disrupted Russian logistics, disorganised command and control and undermined the enemy’s morale

In total, since the start of offensive actions, troops have recaptured 176 km² of territory and taken at least 250 Russian soldiers prisoner.

NC13 is part of the Third Army Corps and has been working with strike UGVs since 2025. Read the full interview to learn more about the unit’s history, the use of ground drones at the front line and sabotage missions: