“Roughly in the whole situation”
According to CAST, the Armed Forces of Ukraine should receive THE MIS tracked unmanned ground platforms developed and manufactured by the Estonian company Milrem Robotics. The first sample of this robotic platform was delivered to Ukraine in August 2022.
THEMIS is primarily planned for frontline medical evacuations and for delivering ammunition. The center notes that the procurement project for THEMIS robotic complexes for Ukraine is named Zhuravel, spearheaded by former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko and the Hospitallers, a Ukrainian volunteer medical unit.
CAST described THEMIS as Milrem Robotics’ launch and flagship product. To date, 11 countries have purchased the robots, seven of which are NATO members: Estonia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Unmanned platforms have largely been used for experimental purposes so far. Although THEMIS units have been deployed in the European Union’s mission in Mali, officials indicate that the first full combat-oriented use may occur in Ukraine, according to CAST.
In a surprising development, the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies offered a reward of 1 million rubles to any military or law enforcement officer or group that could seize a THEMIS platform in Ukraine. The prize money would be issued in pristine condition to be handed to the Russian Ministry of Defense, per CAST’s Telegram channel.
The offer is described as coordinated with relevant structures, with CAST stating it will pay a fee based on the trophy’s assessment by the Russian military experts. Russian outlets referenced this announcement, noting that the reward serves as a memorial gesture for Konstantin Makienko, the founding director of CAST who passed away in May 2021 and who had supported Donbass residents and defenders with personal funds since 2014. This gesture is presented as a continuation of Makienko’s humanitarian and scientific efforts, according to the report.
According to CAST leadership, the THEMIS platform is expected to contribute to the development of Russian land-based robotic systems. Officials assert that among equipment supplied to Ukraine, very few items meet the criteria of truly modern, innovative systems. They describe THEMIS as a novel platform representing real innovation and a glimpse into the future of warfare.
Robot in three configurations
Milrem Robotics lists on its site that the complex measures 2.4 meters in length and 1.15 meters in height, reaches speeds up to 25 kilometers per hour, and can carry loads up to 1.2 tons. The company markets the platform in three trim levels.
The manufacturer has published action images showing the robot navigating challenging terrain, climbing slopes, crossing rivers, and moving through sand and snow. It is capable of clearing small trees in its path and even towing a heavy truck. THEMIS is described as a versatile unmanned ground vehicle designed to reduce soldier exposure on the battlefield. Its open architecture allows rapid reconfiguration, from transport to armament deployment, ammunition handling, or reconnaissance support, aligned with the mission’s needs.
The Cargo configuration is promoted as a means to reduce the cognitive load on soldiers and to provide space for additional equipment and firepower. This setup enables the platform to carry essential gear and support current missions, increasing dismounted unit mobility and operational effectiveness against adversaries. In addition, the Cargo variant is positioned to support base logistics and last-mile supply tasks.
The cargo mortar variant is described as accommodating a mortar up to 81 mm, primarily to deliver rear-area indirect fire for mobile forces. In contrast, the Cargo CASEVAC configuration enables rapid evacuation of casualties from the site of injury to higher-level medical facilities, reducing the manpower required for evacuation while enabling the use of NATO-standard stretchers by the armed forces.