Oleg Fedoryshyn, research and development director at DevDroid, stated on 11/5 that he was surprised when informed of Russian soldiers surrendering to one of the ground drones developed by his company. "Naturally, I was a bit surprised", he said.
DevDroid is a Ukrainian company specializing in the production of ground drones and weapon platforms.
Fedoryshyn believes ground drones are better suited for capturing prisoners, eliminating the need to deploy soldiers for such missions. Ukraine has frequently accused Russian soldiers of feigning surrender, then attacking or detonating grenades when approached. "If Russian soldiers do that to a ground drone, the worst they can do is destroy some metal", Fedoryshyn noted.
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Drone Droid TW-7.62 in 12/2025. Photo: DevDroid.
Ukrainian officials have previously released multiple videos showing what appear to be Russian soldiers surrendering to ground drones. A video shared by DevDroid in 1/2026 depicted three individuals raising their hands, emerging, and then lying prone before the company's Droid TW-7.62 drone. DevDroid described this as "images of modern warfare".
Fedoryshyn disclosed that this was not the only instance of Russian soldiers surrendering to the company's drones. While the Ukrainian military does not share all operational details with the manufacturer, Fedoryshyn believes Ukrainian soldiers were likely still in the vicinity.
Ground drones are gaining widespread use in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in 4/2026 that Ukraine had, for the first time, captured an enemy position solely with unmanned equipment, comprising both ground and aerial vehicles.
"The enemy surrendered. The operation was conducted without infantry or casualties to Ukrainian forces", he affirmed.
Russian soldiers surrender to Ukrainian ground drones in a video posted in 1/2026. Video: DevDroid.
While emerging later than aerial drones, ground drones are now playing a significant role on the battlefield. These devices are currently deployed for evacuating wounded personnel, transporting equipment and weapons, conducting attacks or detonations within enemy positions, and for laying and clearing mines.
President Zelensky last month set a target to produce at least 50,000 ground drones this year. Ukraine's Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov also outlined a goal for "robot systems" to handle 100% of frontline logistics.
Pham Giang (According to Business Insider)
