Ukrainian Robot Assists Military in Firefighting for the First Time

At 1:15 PM on April 4, 2026, Ukrainian soldiers made history by employing a robot to extinguish a fire that erupted due to Russian artillery strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. The incident occurred in Kramatorsk, where troops from the 12th Special Purpose Brigade 'Azov' opted to deploy an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) named Zmiy, translating to 'Snake,' in order to mitigate the heightened risk to their personnel.

The situation at the fire site was further complicated by the presence of gas cylinders, which posed additional hazards. The use of the robot enabled the military to effectively extinguish the flames and prevent further spread while maintaining a safe distance. 'There was a threat of repeated shelling, and then FPV drones — we moved to shelter during those moments. When it became safe, we resumed our work,' stated the fire support company commander of the brigade, who goes by the call sign 'Berdiansk.'

Kramatorsk has been a target of relentless Russian bombardments, particularly in civilian areas. These attacks frequently result in fires that devastate homes and businesses. RoverTech, a Ukrainian manufacturer of defense technologies, produced the Zmiy UGV and provided robotic firefighting systems to emergency services in the Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions at the beginning of March.

The robots are designed to operate in hard-to-reach locations, transport equipment, and serve as a platform for rescuers. 'The robotic platform is equipped with a firefighting module, allowing operations in areas where there is a risk of repeated shelling or detonation of munitions,' according to information on the company's website. The Zmiy can be operated from distances of up to 3,000 meters and can carry loads of up to 700 kilograms, as reported by RoverTech.

As defense technologies continue to evolve in Ukraine, companies and investors are increasingly focusing on how these products can be adapted for civilian use, such as supporting emergency services in hazardous conditions to reduce threats to life. Kyiv hopes that the developing defense technology sector will become one of the key pillars of Ukraine's economic recovery. This sector has attracted significantly more foreign investments over the past year, demonstrating its growing importance.

Additionally, a Japanese drone company has broken the tradition of avoiding investments in the Ukrainian defense industry by entering into a partnership with interceptor drone manufacturer Amazing Drones. This marks the first time a Japanese company has invested in this sector. While the size of the investment remains undisclosed, it is expected to significantly boost production at Amazing Drones' facility in Kharkiv. The company Terra Drone will leverage its decade-long experience to manage supply chains, marketing, and global expansion, as highlighted during the launch event in Kyiv on March 31.