Evolution Driven by Battle
The Ministry of Defence continues to strengthen the infantry’s technical capabilities. The latest addition is Vepr — an unmanned ground vehicle built for logistic and evacuation missions. This unmanned assistant is no stranger to the battlefield — earlier versions have been operating since 2024. Drawing on frontline feedback and combat experience, Ukrainian engineers have significantly redesigned and upgraded the platform to meet today’s harsh realities.
Technical Profile and Versatility
Despite its compact dimensions (length 136 cm, width 112 cm, height 138 cm) and weight of around 350 kg, Vepr can carry a payload equal to its own mass. Two 1,500-watt electric motors, controlled by advanced electronics, propel it at speeds over 7.5 km/h. Its battery endurance allows marches of nearly 40 km. Equipped with digital cameras and multiple communication channels, the robot maintains stable control even in contested environments.
The upgrade has greatly expanded Vepr’s mission set:
- Logistics: transport of ammunition, supplies and equipment up to 350 kg.
- Medical evacuation: extraction of one or two wounded soldiers.
- Engineering tasks: remote mine clearance.
- Strike role: deployment as a kamikaze drone.
- Technical support: towing or evacuating damaged UGVs or light wheeled vehicles.
Simplicity That Saves Lives
Vepr was designed for ease of use by infantry across units. It features intuitive controls, low maintenance demands, durable components, and a short operator training cycle.
Unmanned ground vehicles have already become integral to the war: Ukrainian UGVs conduct around 10,000 missions each month for logistics and casualty evacuation. The state intends to scale this success — in the first six months of 2026 alone, the Ministry of Defence plans to procure over 25,000 UGVs, double the total acquired in the previous year. The ultimate ambition is to replace human presence with unmanned platforms in frontline logistics.
Vepr joins the line-up of codified Ukrainian innovations, alongside the recently authorised Bizon L, notable for its six communication channels including Starlink and LTE, making it resilient against enemy electronic warfare.
Visit the Ministry of Defence website to learn more about Vepr's specifications and Ukraine’s plans for robotic logistics.