Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has taken another step in modernizing its military with the recent approval of Zmiy (Ukrainian for “snake”), a domestically-developed unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed to enhance battlefield logistics and combat operations.

As the war with Russia continues and nears its third-year anniversary, Kyiv is leaning on advanced military technology to increase efficiency, reduce human risk, and improve operational capabilities.

The Zmiy’s introduction marks a significant milestone, not just for Ukraine’s defense industry, but for modern warfare as a whole. Here’s what we know so far about this latest defense technology.

A Product of Necessity: The Development of Zmiy

With Ukraine locked in a prolonged and resource-intensive war, the demand for automated and remotely operated military solutions has surged.

The development of Zmiy stems from Ukraine’s push for homegrown military innovation that can compete with Russia’s formidable firepower while keeping soldiers out of harm’s way.

The Main Directorate for the Support of the Life Cycle of Armaments and Military Equipment, the agency responsible for overseeing military hardware, has emphasized that Zmiy was tailored specifically for combat zone logistics.

Unlike traditional military transport vehicles, which often require human crews to enter dangerous zones, this robotic platform can execute missions autonomously or be remotely controlled, minimizing risks to personnel.