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Ukraine conducts first fully unmanned amphibious raid at Kinburn Split
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Ukraine's armed forces executed the first completely automated amphibious assault in military history under wartime conditions at the Kinburn Split. The operation, conducted by the 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade, involved an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) transporting a Roboneers Rys Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun to a beach. After deployment, the UGV took cover and fired at a target, though accuracy was limited due to range. An overhead UAV monitored the mission. No recovery footage was released. The raid follows weeks of Ukrainian pressure on Russian logistics in southern Ukraine, including drone strikes on supply routes. The Ukrainian partisan group ATESH reported that Russian forces from the 337th Regiment withdrew from parts of the Kinburn Split due to lack of supplies, potentially making the area vulnerable to further operations.
Source report
Published on 14/07/2026 By Frederik Van Lokeren In News
Footage reveals Ukraine's 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade using an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to deploy a Roboneers Rys UGV on the Russian-held Kinburn Split, marking a breakthrough in automated cross-domain naval operations.
The Ukrainian armed forces have reportedly conducted a groundbreaking amphibious raid against Russian-held positions at the Kinburn Split. Executed entirely by unmanned vehicles operating across the sea, land, and air domains, the operation marks the first completely automated amphibious assault in military history conducted under wartime conditions.
Operation Details
The raid, reportedly conducted by Ukraine's 123rd Territorial Defence Brigade, involved delivering an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) onto a beach at the Kinburn Split using an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV). Once deployed on the beach, the UGV took up position and allegedly engaged an enemy position located further along the waterfront. The results of the amphibious raid were not reported.
Footage of the operation was provided by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying overhead to monitor the deployment. The UAV footage shows:
- A USV transporting a UGV, most likely a Ukrainian-made Rys UGV developed by Roboneers and equipped with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun
- The ramps of the USV being lowered
- The UGV rolling off the USV and quickly taking cover in nearby vegetation
- The USV departing the area once the UGV was in cover
In subsequent footage, the UGV is shown deployed at the water's edge, overlooking the beach and firing at a target in the distance. A close-up shows the UGV firing at least three rounds at the target, with two rounds hitting the sand in front of the target. The last round appears to be a tracer round, showing the round flying in an arc—indicating the UGV may have been firing at its maximum range, which could explain the limited accuracy.
Recovery and Assessment
No footage was released showing the UGV being recovered by a USV, though the absence of such footage does not exclude that a recovery mission was undertaken. It is also unknown whether the target was occupied by Russian forces at that time, or if the amphibious raid was a demonstration to pave the way for similar future operations.
Strategic Context
The operation appears to be the first completely automated amphibious raid under wartime conditions in history, executed by unmanned vehicles operating in all three domains:
- Sea: Transportation
- Ground: Assault
- Air: Observation and follow-up
Tensions on the Kinburn Split in Southern Ukraine have been rising in recent weeks, with Russian war bloggers anticipating a Ukrainian amphibious operation in the near future as a result of deteriorating Russian logistics in the region. Ukrainian forces previously planted a Ukrainian flag at the Kinburn Split on June 25th, most likely using a UAV. That video also included footage of airstrikes at the Kinburn Split, indicating that Ukraine has been pressuring Russian positions for some time.
Broader Campaign
Ukraine's mid-range drone strikes in recent weeks have been targeting Russian logistics in Southern Ukraine and Crimea, striking overland routes between Mariupol and Crimea. These drones target Russian military trucks transporting fuel and ammunition to and from the frontlines. Russian forces have reportedly suffered significant losses, undermining their ability to keep frontline troops adequately supplied.
The Ukrainian partisan movement ATESH has recently reported that Russian forces garrisoned on the Kinburn Split withdrew as they could no longer be supplied. According to ATESH, units of Russia's 337th Regiment withdrew from the northern and western parts of the Kinburn Split due to the absence of food, ammunition, and fuel deliveries.
If true, this would make the Kinburn Split vulnerable to an amphibious invasion by Ukrainian forces.
Geolocation
Footage of the operation shows the Rys UGV being deployed near a village, though no precise geolocation has been confirmed.
Source
Naval NewsWestern
Part of this Story
Ukraine Conducts First Fully Robotic Amphibious Assault on Occupied Kinburn Spit