Ukraine Says Driverless BTR-60 Bombs Helped Take Nove and 250 Prisoners
A roughly $4,000 conversion turns Soviet-era armor into driverless bombs with the speed and payload to breach fortified positions, and its maker expects demand to rise as winter mud stalls smaller ground robots.
A roughly $4,000 conversion turns Soviet-era armor into driverless bombs with the speed and payload to breach fortified positions, and its maker expects demand to rise as winter mud stalls smaller ground robots.
Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps sent driverless Soviet-era BTR-60 armored personnel carriers packed with explosives into Russian fortifications during phase three of Operation Vivaldi, Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi said in a Sept. 28 video address. By his account, the phase reclaimed 51 square kilometers on the Lyman axis in northern Donetsk, bringing the operation's total to 176 square kilometers. Phase two had seen bomber drones air-drop kamikaze robots behind Russian lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Vivaldi?
A Ukrainian counteroffensive by the 3rd Army Corps on the Lyman axis in northern Donetsk. The corps says three of its four phases have reclaimed 176 square kilometers.
What did phase three achieve?
Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi said it reclaimed 51 square kilometers, took Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka, and restored control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.
What are the "zombie car" BTR-60s?
Soviet-era armored personnel carriers converted into driverless vehicles packed with explosives and driven into Russian fortifications, according to the 3rd Army Corps.
How much does the conversion cost?
Roughly $4,000, according to an engineer who helped develop the system with Drone Fight Group, speaking to The Telegraph.
Are the prisoner and casualty figures confirmed?
No. The 250-plus prisoners and 2,000-plus casualties are claims by Biletskyi. Open-source monitors such as DeepState have documented the territorial gains; the Kremlin denies a setback.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.