TerMIT Drone and the Future of Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Ukraine
Unmanned ground vehicle TerMIT
In mid-July, Ukraine achieved a remarkable milestone: the first documented unmanned attack involving both aerial and ground drones, which led to the capture of Russian soldiers. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the ground drones are going to make many more headlines in the months ahead. Not long ago, reports were still calling ground drones a “raw technology”—and now they’re driving enemy troops to surrender.
In the meantime, we learned that Tencore, one of Ukraine’s leading unmanned ground vehicles manufacturers, raised $3.74 million from investment group MITS Capital. This marks one of the first direct investments by a U.S. venture fund into a Ukrainian legal entity in the tech sector.
I had the chance to speak with representatives of MITS Capital, who also helped me get in touch with Tencore to prepare this material. In this edition, I’m combining business with pleasure by sharing some investment details, along with a strong focus on Ukraine’s defense technologies.
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Details of the deal
MITS Capital, a Ukrainian-American defense fund, serves as “a bridge between Western capital and Ukraine's defense ecosystem.” The fund has a portfolio of investments in Ukrainian defense and dual-use tech companies at the forefront of electronic, autonomous, and air/land/sea drone warfare.
MITS Capital has MITS Accelerator, a Y Combinator-style accelerator focused on defense tech startups. It offers entrepreneurs seed funding and an intensive 15-week boot camp. Its platform also includes the MITS Lightning Fund, and an investment advisory unit, with a mission to bring global capital into Ukraine’s defense industrial base.
At MITS Capital, they believe Ukraine is the only country in the Western world with a defense-industrial base capable of rivaling China in both capacity and cost structure. NATO/EU/US investments of $10 billion in Ukraine’s defense sector would establish a strategic foothold in a key industry, providing leverage against adversaries and strengthening NATO defense capabilities with battle-tested innovations.
According to the EY data, Ukrainian defense startups have seen a significant increase in investments, with $40 million raised in 2024. This marks a substantial jump from the $5 million raised in 2023. Brave1 Defense Tech Cluster announced plans to attract $100 million in investments in 2025, further boosting Ukraine's defense tech growth.
Perry Boyle, CEO and Founding Partner at MITS Capital, said that this deal with Tencore marks the first time a U.S. investor has used Ukraine's new legal framework to back a defense company. MITS Capital utilized Ukraine's special Diia City legal framework for tech companies to invest directly in Tencore's Ukrainian entity.
Diia City is a legal and tax regime launched in February 2022 in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Stimulating the Development of the Digital Economy in Ukraine”. It aims to stimulate the development of technology businesses by creating favorable conditions for transparent business conduct, intellectual property protection, and tax burden reduction.
Currently, there are more than 2000 Diia City residents in Ukraine. To become a resident, a company must be registered under Ukrainian legislation, engage in certain activities (software development and testing, including GameDev; robotics; cybersecurity; design and production of UAVs and their components etc), meet the conditions for admission, and prepare a package of documents.
Speaking about their experience with Diia City, COO of MITS Capital, Denis Gurak, said that the Ukrainian government created Diia City regime by following best practices from around the world—particularly Singapore and Nordic countries—while adapting them to Ukrainian realities, such as adjusting requirements for average salary, minimum revenue, and more.
Currently, over 300 defense tech companies operate under this regime and are considering entry into the potentially upcoming Defence City.
Another notable resident of Diia City is Quantum Systems, a German drone manufacturer that operates a production facility in Ukraine. For foreign companies, residency in Diia City provides conditions for establishing production and localization, stable operations, and tools for building a transparent and effective corporate structure.
Answering my question about why Tencore was chosen as the recipient of their largest publicly disclosed investment, Gurak explained: “Simply because they have proved they are worth it. We believe that Tencore is set to become a global leader in UGV developments. We don’t even call it a startup since they have outgrown this label. We thoroughly vetted their team and technology and see this company as one of the strongest players in their niche”.
Infantry wins battles; logistics wins wars.
Tencore is a Ukrainian-based developer and supplier of robotic platforms with a team of over 200 people.
“Our flagship is the TerMIT drone. From the very beginning, we designed it with a modular structure. This allows for quick replacement of components and batteries, and enables fast connection of any equipment — turrets, electronic warfare systems, or other devices used by the units," said Maksym Vasylchenko, Co-owner and CEO of Tencore, in his interview with ArmyFM.
TerMIT can be adapted to various tasks. The platform can be used for logistics, evacuation missions, engineering operations support, including mining and demining, and fire support for frontline units.
TerMIT Specifications
TerMIT’s technical specifications are as follows:
Weight: 280 kg
Payload capacity: 300 kg
Width: 120 cm, which means it can be transported in a regular pickup truck
Operating time: up to 12 hours
Speed: 10 km/h
Range: 10 km on one battery (20 km with 2 batteries)
Control distance: up to 20 km
Cost: from $12,000
According to the developer, it can be used in both rain and snow; it has a protection level - IP 54.
One of the key features of the TerMIT drones is their high off-road capability. Thanks to its low center of gravity, the platform can carry loads at various angles of inclination. The tracked system ensures strong performance across forested areas, swamps, snow, sand, and rocky terrain. The platform’s logistical capabilities have even been tested in challenging mountainous conditions.
In September 2024, a TerMIT drone carrying its maximum load successfully ascended one of the highest peaks of the Ukrainian Carpathians—Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi (2,028 meters - 1,26 miles above sea level).
The TerMIT UGV offers three control options, depending on its configuration. First, a compact master controller—linked directly to a specific unit—allows for one-handed operation and is ideal for escort missions; soldiers note that even a wounded operator could evacuate themselves using this "one-finger" remote. Second, analog control uses a handheld device supported by a ground station with signal repeaters and amplifiers for extended range. Third, digital control provides the most secure and reliable connection, and with a satellite module like Starlink, the drone can be operated remotely from any distance via the internet.
65% of TerMIT drone components are produced locally in Ukraine. “Most structural elements, electronics, casings, and parts of the software are developed and manufactured in Ukraine. However, some components—such as batteries, controllers, certain chips, or sensors—are still being imported,” explained Vasylchenko to Ukraine’s Arms Monitor. “In this context, foreign investors can play an important role. First, by helping to establish joint production and localize the manufacturing of critical components in Ukraine or partner countries. Second, by contributing to the diversification of supply chains, which is crucial in wartime conditions. As an association of manufacturers, we are currently working on localizing the production of key components both in Ukraine and in partner countries,” he added.
The ground drone was codified and approved by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine in June 2025. The platform is also NATO-standard certified. Tencore is gradually adapting its systems to STANAG standards, which enables their use by the armed forces of NATO countries and also improves the overall quality and trust in the product. This is also a key to expanding exports and participating in international tenders.
The company is exploring the possibility of establishing assembly or licensed production facilities in partner countries, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. This would help expand production capacity and ensure continuity of supply in the event of an escalation in hostilities in Ukraine.
“However, our strategic goal is to keep the core of production in Ukraine, as this is where we have the expertise, the team, and a deep understanding of the real needs of the frontline. And our partners understand that,” said Maksym.
Tencore produced over 800 units to date and plans to scale the number to 2,000 by the end of 2025.
Core functions of TerMIT
Depending on its configuration, the drone can perform a variety of tasks, including logistics, evacuation, minelaying, and strike missions. Each unit using the TerMIT drone can choose a configuration tailored to its specific needs.
The platform can be equipped with various modules, such as a machine gun or grenade launcher combat module, an electronic warfare (EW) system, a minelaying unit, and other configurations. Swapping out a module takes about 10 minutes and requires only a few wrenches and a power drill. Both tracks are interchangeable, and the TerMIT can be repaired at any standard auto repair shop equipped with a lift.
These systems are primarily intended to support the infantry because infantry soldiers carry everything on their backs, and by the time they reach their positions, they still need to find the strength to fight. That’s why these machines are designed, first and foremost, to make life easier for infantry troops — to transport loads that were previously carried by hand or moved using jeeps. “And as our politicians say, it's also economically efficient: the average unit costs around $10,000–15,000, depending on the configuration. But when you send four people and cargo in a jeep, and it gets hit — well, you do the math. As someone from the U.S. Army once said, wars are not won by troops, but by logistics.” Vasylchenko explained ArmyFM.
In the exclusive commentary to Ukraine’s Arms Monitor, he told about the successful case of the use of TerMIT by Ukraine’s Army: “One of the most striking cases is the use of the TerMIT drone during the evacuation of a wounded soldier from the ‘grey zone’ on the front line. Thanks to its compact size, low profile, and lack of crew, the drone was able to reach positions too dangerous for humans and evacuate the injured soldier under fire.
Another example is the use of TerMIT to handle an entire unit’s logistics. It can drive up to frontline positions without putting infantry lives at risk — and there are already dozens of such cases. You can also see videos of it in action on our social media pages (for example, on Instagram).” ⬇️
The developers also integrated the platform with the “Buria” grenade launcher turret, which allows soldiers to fire the Mk-19 grenade launcher remotely without exposing themselves to danger. “The turret’s automatic targeting system works very precisely—often even better than a human operator, especially when firing at multiple targets. A major advantage is that the turret can remember settings and quickly switch between targets, ensuring accurate strikes within a 20–30 meter radius,” said TerMIT drone operators.
Over 20 brigades are already working with TerMIT platforms for logistics, mining, and combat, such as Azov, Kraken, the 1st Assault Regiment, named after 'Da Vinci'.
In December 2024, it was reported that fighters from the “Freedom of Russia Legion,” who are fighting on Ukraine’s side, were equipped with TerMIT ground drones. The unit reported mounted heavy machine guns onto the robotic platforms. Specifically, the platforms were fitted with American-made Browning M2 heavy machine guns.
Earlier this year, it was reported that the TerMIT drone had been readied for combat missions by the special unit "Artan" of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR).
The future of drone warfare
Will we see the war of robots in the future? Vasylchenko answers that we are clearly moving toward the large-scale deployment of autonomous and remotely operated systems. “While it’s not yet a “robot war” in the sci-fi sense, today there are already dozens, even hundreds, of machines operating on the battlefield — participating in assaults, reconnaissance, mining, and logistics. Ukraine has demonstrated to the world what true “bottom-up innovation” looks like — innovation driven directly from the front lines”, he added.
We can expect to see mass deployment of these ground robotic systems within the next 1–2 years, especially if the current pace of production, funding, and government support is maintained.
Ukraine is currently leading drone innovations. Russia’s development of ground drones is hindered by centralization, complex logistics, and resistance to reforming outdated structures. While they have some interesting developments, practical use remains minimal.
Previously, I’ve reported on another Ukrainian ground drone, Murakha (Ant); you can read about it here.
Explore more in the Defense Tech in Ukraine section.
So relieved to hear that your beloved Ukraine is making headway against the Russian invaders after almost 3 years of fighting and sadness and devastation of your homeland and your families and your way of life. Your wonderful President Zelenskyy should win that Nobel Peace Prize.
Kindest regards
Respect
Carol Power
Johannesburg
South Africa
I’ve always admired the ingenuity of Ukrainians, especially as they fight a war against a massive foe. But wars are won by tenacity and creativity. Ukraine may lack in numbers of soldiers, but it has more than enough brains to win the war.