In a novel and somewhat alarming development, Russia has begun transforming hoverboards, or self-balancing scooters, into suicide drones for use on the Ukrainian battlefield. These four-wheeled robots, created by combining two hoverboards, are being deployed by a Russian group for various battlefield roles, including kamikaze attacks, supply transport, and deploying smokescreens.
The Russia-Ukraine war has seen widespread use of improvised aerial drones by both sides. In the Black Sea, Ukraine has deployed an armada of unmanned vessels developed from Jet Skis and speedboats. On land, both sides are advancing inexpensive ground-based robots, with Russia’s latest endeavor serving as a stark example, according to a report by New Scientist.
A Russian group known as Two Majors is at the forefront of this project. They have shared videos online showcasing their creation, a four-wheeled vehicle made from two hoverboards, dubbed the “combat cockroach.” The footage demonstrates its capability to navigate various terrains, including tall grass. The war in Ukraine has seen extensive use of hacked robots, making a significant impact on the battlefield. The transformation of inexpensive drones into weapons of war is now commonplace on the front lines.
These makeshift robots can deploy smoke bombs, transport anti-tank mines and supplies, and even function as suicide bombers, showcasing both defensive and offensive capabilities. Two Majors claim their robots are ready for frontline deployment. Hoverboards can carry up to 100 kilograms and travel at 12 kilometers per hour for three hours on a single charge. Their latest creation can be controlled from 2 kilometers away, possibly using a drone’s view for guidance.
One of the most significant advantages of these robots is their low cost. A new hoverboard can be purchased for about 150 euros, a stark contrast to the tracked unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) used by Ukraine, which cost around 1 million euros each.
Ukraine has also developed ground-based kamikaze robots to counter Russian aggression. Known as Brave1, Ukraine’s military technology cluster has introduced the Ratel S robot, enabling precise strikes from a safe distance. The Ratel S resembles a toy monster truck and is equipped to carry an anti-tank mine or bomb. It can travel nearly 15 miles per hour and operate for up to two hours on a full charge. Meanwhile, Russian and Chinese companies are reportedly manufacturing replica Iranian drones for deployment in Ukraine.
Russia has used thousands of Shahed drones in Ukraine since the war began. They’ve set up a factory to mass-produce this Iranian-developed technology, which is cost-effective to manufacture but costly to defend against. Despite this, Russia relies on North Korea and Iran for supplies and on China for crucial parts. Officials are concerned that China could produce a drone like the Shahed much faster than Iran or Russia can.
According to Chinese defense sources and media outlets, China is developing a kamikaze attack drone named the Sunflower 200, similar in appearance to Iran’s Shahed 136 drone.