Ukraine conflict: THeMIS robot delivered to Kyiv as Russia announces bounty for system's capture

THeMIS in CASEVAC configuration as demonstrated at the British Army Warfighting Experiment, Salisbury Plain, December 2018 (James Rands/Janes)

Janes has received confirmation of the delivery of a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) to Ukraine after images of the system being delivered emerged on a number of social media platforms at the beginning of September.

Speaking to Janes ahead of an official press release, a spokesperson for Milrem Robotics, the Estonian company that manufactures the THeMIS vehicles, confirmed that one system had been delivered to an unspecified Ukrainian charitable organisation in a casualty evacuation and logistics configuration.

“Milrem Robotics delivered the THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) suited for casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and transportation of supplies to Ukraine”, the company said in the press release.

Milrem Robotics is also understood to have provided training in Ukraine upon delivery to enable quick deployment of the system.

“Casualty evacuation is one of the most crucial and labour-intensive activities”, Captain (res) Jüri Pajuste, Defence Research and Development director at Milrem Robotics, was quoted as saying in the press release. “It takes several people to carry a stretcher and medical equipment, but only one to operate the UGV that can accommodate several wounded and a lot of equipment. This also frees up personnel to help more people.”

The confirmation of the vehicle's delivery follows an announcement by the Russian Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) think-tank of a RUB1 million (USD16,428) reward for the capture of an intact THeMIS UGV.