Inside a Secret Workshop Near Kharkiv, Ukrainian Soldiers Build Robots Reshaping the Front Line

Near Kharkiv, Ukrainian soldiers are building ground robots from scratch to deliver supplies and replace humans on front lines too dangerous to reach by vehicle. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Khartia Brigade builds unmanned ground vehicles in a secret workshop near Kharkiv. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google In a hidden location near the front line , Ukrainian soldiers are building machines designed to do something simple and critical: take risks instead of humans. These are unmanned ground vehicles, or UGVs . And for the soldiers of the Khartia Brigade , they are quickly becoming essential. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “These are ground robotic systems used mainly for logistics,” one serviceman with the call sign “Fasa” told Kyiv Post during a rare visit to the site. “They deliver food, supplies, ammunition, fuel, generators – everything needed to sustain positions.” Just a few years ago, these systems barely existed on the battlefield: “In 2022, we didn’t have them,” he said. “There wasn’t such a need. Now, driving to positions with vehicles, pickups or armored cars, is very difficult.” Inside a secret workshop near Kharkiv, Khartia Brigade soldiers build unmanned ground vehicles. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) Without them, even basic logistics become physically exhausting. Carrying fuel over long distances on foot, sometimes up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) is extremely difficult. So the solution is built locally. Instead, small, low-profile robots move across terrain that has become too dangerous for people. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine and Norway Sign Major Drone Deal Ukraine secured major military cooperation in Oslo hours after agreeing a €4 billion defense package with Germany in Berlin. “They’re not very noticeable, especially if camouflaged,” the soldier added. “If they’re detected, we can hide them. The logic behind the systems is straightforward: if a machine can perform a task, a person doesn’t have to. The robots are remotely operated via an internet connection, allowing operators to remain far from the front line, provided there is stable connectivity. They are also relatively inexpensive by military standards – around Hr.220,000 (about $5,500) per unit, including control systems. But their lifespan reflects the realities of war. Sparks fly as Khartia Brigade soldiers cut and weld parts for unmanned ground vehicles in a workshop near Kharkiv. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) While not officially disposable, in practice, they rarely survive more than a limited number of missions. Sometimes they last for dozens of runs; other times, as one soldier put it, they go out once – and don’t return. Their range is calculated carefully, often covering tens of kilometers depending on battery capacity and mission planning. Inside a secret workshop near Kharkiv, Khartia Brigade soldiers build unmanned ground vehicles. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) The brigade builds the core structure of the machines from scratch, fabricating frames, shafts, and mechanical elements on-site, while sourcing motors, batteries, and electronics externally, often choosing Chinese components for their lower cost. There was no established expertise at the start. Instead, knowledge has been built in real time, shaped by battlefield needs. Inside a secret workshop near Kharkiv, Khartia Brigade soldiers build unmanned ground vehicles. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) “We learned everything ourselves,” one soldier with the call sign “Fasa” explained. The soldiers do everything from assembly to repair, modernization and protection. That includes reinforcing the systems against attacks and welding protective mesh structures onto them that are designed to absorb damage while preserving critical components. According to Fasa, even when a robot is hit and stops functioning, “about 90% of its components remain intact,” allowing it to be repaired and returned to service, sometimes within the same day. In at least one case, a machine reportedly survived multiple strikes and still made its way back. Ukrainian soldiers from the Khartia Brigade build unmanned ground systems at a hidden location near Kharkiv. (Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post.) Ukrainian soldiers from the Khartia Brigade build unmanned ground systems at a hidden location near Kharkiv. Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post. In this hidden workshop, around a dozen soldiers work daily to assemble, repair, and adapt the systems, depending on what is available and what has been lost in recent missions. Another serviceman from the Khartia Brigade, with the call sign “Hurni” explained that most of the systems they receive – whether from the state, manufacturers, or volunteers – are technically operational, but not fully suited to battlefield needs. A three-legged dog, injured in shelling, is seen in a workshop where Khartia Brigade soldiers build unmanned ground vehicles near Kharkiv. Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post. He said the unit routinely modifies them, primarily upgrading control systems. He also explained how the systems are reinforced with additional protective structures, including metal frames and mesh designed to absorb impact. According to him, these modifications can preserve the majority of the components even after a strike, allowing damaged units to be repaired and returned to service quickly. In some cases, he said, systems have continued operating even after being hit multiple times, with at least one instance where a damaged unit managed to return from a mission despite sustaining significant impact. Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post. The platforms, Hurni said, are versatile in their use. While primarily designed for logistics, they are capable of carrying a wide range of payloads, including explosive materials. He noted that within the brigade, there have been cases where such systems were used in missions targeting enemy positions, including entering buildings before detonation. At the same time, detection remains limited. The systems are difficult to track beyond direct visual observation, making them less vulnerable to certain types of countermeasures compared to aerial drones. And in places like this, hidden, improvised, and close to the front, the future of ground warfare is being built piece by piece. Photo by Kostiantyn Ustyuzhyn/Kyiv Post. Kateryna investigates today's most important topics, from geopolitical challenges and defense strategies to stories that change the course of events. She explores the secrets of Ukraine's intelligence services and shows the hidden side of global events. Her passion is uncovering secrets that change history. Born and lives in Kyiv.