From: Transform Ukraine By Douglas Landro / July 18, 2025
As Ukraine Achieves Historic Robotic Warfare Breakthrough and Parliament Installs New Leadership, Russian Economic Pressures Mount While Moscow Intensifies Drone Terror Campaign
Summary of the Day – July 17, 2025
Ukraine’s military and political evolution accelerated dramatically on July 17, as the country achieved a historic milestone in robotic warfare while simultaneously reshaping its government structure for prolonged conflict. Ukrainian forces captured Russian troops using only drones and ground robots—the first such operation in military history—while parliament confirmed Yulia Svyrydenko as the new prime minister and Denys Shmyhal as defense minister. Meanwhile, Russian forces launched over 300 drones across multiple regions as leaked documents revealed catastrophic losses in Russia’s 41st Combined Arms Army, with over 26,000 troops killed, missing, or deserted. The day also witnessed major prisoner exchanges, with Ukraine repatriating 1,000 bodies under the Istanbul agreement, while economic pressures mounted on Moscow as senior Russian bankers privately discussed potential bailouts amid growing non-performing loans.
Historic Warfare Milestone: Ukraine Captures Troops Using Only Robots
Ukraine achieved an unprecedented military breakthrough when its forces captured Russian troops for the first time using exclusively drones and ground-based robotic systems, without deploying any infantry personnel to the battlefield. The operation marked a historic moment in modern warfare, demonstrating the evolution of unmanned combat systems.
Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) released footage showing the Liut robotic platform attacking Russian positions in Sumy Oblast. The system, equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun, has passed combat testing and can identify and engage targets day and night with its quiet electric motor.
“Having reached enemy positions, it destroys the Russian occupiers with dense machine gun fire. The armed and technological fight for Ukraine’s freedom continues,” HUR declared.
The achievement comes as Ukraine plans to deliver 15,000 combat robots by the end of 2025 as part of accelerated deployment of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The technology addresses personnel requirements for high-risk missions including logistics, casualty evacuation, and direct combat support.
Voice of Ukraine 