In what Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade has called a historic first, unmanned systems have seized a fortified Russian position in Kharkiv Oblast and captured enemy soldiers, without the involvement of Ukrainian infantry during the assault.
The operation, conducted by the NC13 drone unit of the 2nd Assault Battalion, used a combination of FPV drones and a ground-based kamikaze robot to neutralize Russian positions embedded in a treeline. The robotic assault forced a group of Russian soldiers to surrender, an unprecedented battlefield capitulation to unmanned platforms.
Drones lead the assault, infantry follows
According to statements and footage released by the brigade, the engagement unfolded without a single shot fired by Ukrainian infantry. Drone footage shared on the brigade’s Telegram channel shows a powerful FPV strike followed by the detonation of a kamikaze ground drone, reportedly loaded with three anti-tank mines, at the entrance to a Russian dugout.
As a second ground robot approached for another strike, two Russian soldiers emerged with a cardboard sign that read “We want to surrender” in Russian. The video then shows Ukrainian drones guiding the surrendering troops safely toward Ukrainian lines.
A drone operator involved in the mission explained the sequence:
“The explosion with the three antitank mines – that was a very powerful blast. The dugout wasn’t fully destroyed, so we got the order to hit it again. We moved in, and they realized we were going to blow it up again… and they very quickly put the sign out.”
A small reconnaissance UAS then flew over to direct the surrendering soldiers.
“They followed the Mavic precisely and lay down in the ‘dolphin pose’ on the ground,” the operator added, referring to a prone posture adopted while surrendering.
Only after the surrender was confirmed did Ukrainian infantry move in to secure the position—an area that had previously resisted capture despite multiple attempts.
According to the brigade, the entire operation took approximately 15 minutes:
“That unit took over the dugout’s treeline in just 15 minutes. The entire strip was already ours, literally, and without any losses. You could say, not a single shot was fired.”
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A first in modern warfare
This marks the first publicly confirmed case in modern warfare where unmanned systems alone seized enemy-held ground and captured personnel without direct human combat. Ukrainian military officials and drone operators involved in the mission noted the significance of the event:
“Our example proved that with robotic platforms, it’s possible not only to storm positions but also to take prisoners.”
The robotic strike involved an FPV drone and a ground-based “NRK” (remotely controlled ground robotic complex) carrying 21 to 22.5 kilograms of TNT. The combination of aerial and ground strikes proved effective against fortified positions previously inaccessible to infantry.
While FPV drone attacks and kamikaze robots are now common in the war, this operation stands out for achieving strategic gains and capturing enemy soldiers through unmanned means alone.
The Kharkiv region, where the assault took place, remains one of the most active fronts in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In recent months, Ukrainian forces have intensified their use of drones in both offensive and reconnaissance roles in the area.
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Post Image: Russian troops hold up a handwritten sign reading “We want to surrender” (Post Image Credit: 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces)
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