Ratel S is a Ukrainian uncrewed ground vehicle built for remote mining, explosive delivery, observation, and short-range ground attack missions. Developed in Ukraine's wartime robotics ecosystem and publicized through the Brave1 defense-tech cluster, it gives Ukrainian operators a small wheeled platform that can move an explosive or mine payload toward Russian positions while reducing direct exposure; Ukrainian reporting has tied it to bridge, position, and underground-passage attacks in Donetsk Oblast.
Used by Ukrainian forces as a small remotely operated strike and remote-mining UGV in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War; Ukrainian military media reported state-test and serial-production claims in October 2023, a bridge strike at Ivanivske in April 2024, and 25th Airborne Brigade use against a Russian-occupied underground passage near Novohrodivka in September 2024.
Role detailsRatel S is best read as a compact ground payload carrier rather than a protected combat vehicle. Public reporting shows the same small chassis used for remote mining, explosive delivery, and short-range attacks on fixed targets.
| Role | Documented detail | Reader context |
|---|---|---|
| Remote mining | The manufacturer describes a removable remote-mining module, servo-driven warhead release, and ground-object observation by day camera. | Explains why the system is cataloged as a mine-warfare and strike UGV rather than as a general logistics robot. |
| Mobile warhead | Ukrainian reporting describes soldiers using Ratel S to carry anti-tank mines or a combat module toward Russian targets. | The platform lets operators keep distance from tanks, dugouts, obstacles, and likely detonation points. |
| Infrastructure attack | April 2024 reporting said Ukrainian defenders used Ratel S to destroy a bridge at Ivanivske in Donetsk Oblast. | Shows a tactical logistics-denial role beyond direct vehicle attacks. |
| Position attack | September 2024 reporting linked Ratel S to a 25th Airborne Brigade attack on an underground passage near Novohrodivka. | Shows Ukrainian use against fixed Russian positions and covered personnel locations. |
| Control envelope | Ratel Robotics lists at least 1,500 m control range without a repeater, at least 3,000 m with a repeater, and at least 20 km/h off-road speed. | Frames the system as a short-range front-line robot whose value depends on standoff control, small size, and payload delivery. |
Public sources present Ratel S as a small ground-attack platform with remote-mining, mobile-warhead, and possible combat-module configurations rather than a family of separately named model marks.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remote-mining module | Servo-release mine-delivery configuration | The official Ratel Robotics product page describes Ratel S as a remote-mining system with removable remote-mining modules, a servo-driven warhead discharge mechanism, and a 20 kg transport load for the module. Sources: Ratel S Product Page |
| Mobile warhead carrier | Anti-tank mine or explosive payload configuration | Ukrainian military reporting described soldiers using Ratel S as a mobile warhead carrying anti-tank mines, with remote operation letting the operator attack armor, dugouts, or infrastructure from standoff distance. Sources: ArmyInform Ground Kamikaze Robot, ArmyInform Ratel S Bridge Strike |
| Combat-module configuration | Reported but publicly unspecified weapon-station option | Defense Express and Ukrainian reporting noted a possible combat-module configuration, but public sources did not identify the module or weapon station in detail. Sources: Ukrainian Officials Reveal the Ratel S Suicide UGV-Drone, ArmyInform Ground Kamikaze Robot |
Ukrainian military reporting cited Mykhailo Fedorov saying Ratel S had passed field tests and entered serial production after Brave1-linked development.
Sources: ArmyInform Ground Kamikaze Robot, Ukrainian Officials Reveal the Ratel S Suicide UGV-Drone
ArmyInform and LIGA.net reported that Ukrainian defenders used Ratel S to blow up a bridge in Ivanivske, Donetsk Oblast, disrupting Russian logistics.
Sources: ArmyInform Ratel S Bridge Strike, LIGA.net Ratel S Bridge Strike
ArmyInform reported that soldiers of Ukraine's 25th Airborne Brigade used a Ratel S platform against an underground passage occupied by Russian personnel near Novohrodivka.
Sources: ArmyInform Ratel S Novohrodivka Shelter Strike
