Ukrainian soldiers are increasingly turning to nimble, remote-controlled armoured vehicles that can perform an array of tasks and spare troops from potentially life-threatening missions. The army is deploying what soldiers refer to as “robots on wheels” as it faces a shortage of soldiers. The vehicles look like miniature tanks and can ferry supplies, clear mines and evacuate the wounded or dead.

“It cannot fully replace people,” said the commander of a platoon of the 20th Lyubart Brigade who goes by the call sign Miami. “I would put it this way: A person can go in there, but sometimes it’s far too dangerous.”