Sacked Ukrainian Defence Minister Launches ‘Army of Robots’ Initiative

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov presents his “Army of Robots” defence-technology initiative in Lviv. ( AI Generated Image)

 KYIV – Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has launched a new defence-technology initiative called the “Army of Robots”, seeking to accelerate the development and deployment of robotic systems for battlefield operations.

Fedorov unveiled the project on September 26 at the IT Arena technology conference in Lviv and through social media. The initiative follows his earlier “Army of Drones” programme, which he helped establish in 2022 while serving as Ukraine’s minister for digital transformation.

Fedorov said the new project would not be a single company but an ecosystem involving defence-technology companies, research and development teams and military testing. The stated aim is to develop technologies that can perform dangerous tasks while reducing the exposure of Ukrainian soldiers to battlefield risks.

A major part of the initiative is the development of humanoid robots. Fedorov said such machines could initially be trained to carry out relatively simple tasks, including replacing batteries, installing sensors and handling equipment. The broader vision includes robots working alongside drones and other unmanned ground systems.

The project also envisages robotic systems being used for reconnaissance, logistics, casualty evacuation, mine-related tasks, defence positions and other operations where sending human soldiers could involve significant risks.

Fedorov has set ambitious targets for the initiative. Ukrainian reports said the project aims to have a humanoid robot kill an enemy soldier within six months of launch and conduct a robot-and-drone operation within its first year. These are stated project goals, not evidence that such capabilities currently exist or are operational on the battlefield.

The initiative comes after Fedorov was dismissed as Ukraine’s defence minister in July. Since leaving government, he has increasingly focused on defence technology and private-sector investment. He has also announced plans for a separate defence-technology company, with Palantir CEO Alex Karp reported as an early investor.

Ukraine has already expanded its use of unmanned systems during the war with Russia, particularly aerial drones and remotely operated ground vehicles. However, many battlefield ground robots remain human-controlled rather than fully autonomous, and they face practical limitations involving power, ammunition, communications, maintenance and vulnerability to enemy drones.

Fedorov’s latest initiative therefore represents an attempt to take Ukraine’s experience with drone warfare further into ground robotics and other forms of defence technology.

The initiative is currently seeking robotics companies, engineers and other specialists to participate in its development. Fedorov has described the broader goal as increasing the use of machines in dangerous battlefield environments while allowing human troops to remain farther from immediate danger

.Key Facts

• Initiative: Army of Robots

• Founder: Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

• Announced: September 26, 2026

• Location: Lviv, Ukraine

• Focus: Humanoid robots, unmanned ground systems and defence technology

• Model: Ukraine’s earlier Army of Drones programme

• Current status: Development and recruitment stage