Ukraine Deploys 'Zombie Cars' to Breach Russian Defenses, Captures Soldiers
Kyiv's forces utilized modified armored vehicles as unmanned assault units during a recent operation.
Ukraine has employed Soviet-era BTR-60 armored vehicles, converted into unmanned "zombie cars," to breach heavily fortified Russian positions and facilitate the capture of approximately 250 soldiers. This tactic was part of "Operation Vivaldi," which saw Ukrainian forces liberate three villages and regain control of two others.
The self-driving armored vehicles were directed at Russian logistics hubs and fortified barracks in Nove. Footage from the operation shows the vehicles traversing muddy terrain before impacting Russian positions.
The offensive was conducted by Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps. Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi stated that the operation resulted in the surrender of entire Russian units. "The idea that ‘Russians don’t surrender’ from movies in practice turned into entire units surrendering in full — including officers, pilots and artillerymen," Biletskyi said.
Ukraine hopes to exchange the captured Russian soldiers for Ukrainian troops held in captivity. The army corps estimates that around 2,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded during this operation.
Operation Vivaldi aims to reclaim Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces. In addition to Nove, the 3rd Army Corps liberated the settlements of Ridkodub and Katerynivka, and re-established Ukrainian control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka. The operation has secured nearly 68 square miles of land.
Prior to this operation, Ukraine had recaptured approximately 288 square miles in the early months of 2026. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Russian forces still occupy about 45,000 square miles of Ukrainian territory, representing roughly 20% of the country.