Ukrainian troops deploy ground robot to rescue cat from frontline

Ukrainian troops on the Kharkiv front recently conducted a unique operation using an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to rescue a cat named “Prapor” from frontline positions. The robotic vehicle, initially deployed to deliver supplies to forward troops, was remotely operated to safely transport the cat away from the dangerous line of contact. Prapor had lived alongside soldiers for months, becoming a morale-boosting companion and earning the status of a “combat participant.” The three-hour mission ended with the cat relocated to a safer base, illustrating the expanding humanitarian and logistical roles of ground robots in Ukraine’s military efforts. This operation highlights a broader trend in Ukraine’s use of robotics in warfare, where UGVs serve multiple functions beyond combat, including resupply, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on these systems to reduce risks to personnel, such as ferrying ammunition under fire or retrieving wounded soldiers from hazardous areas. The rescue of Prapor, alongside similar stories