“Azov” received Sirko-S1 ground robots: what missions can they perform

The Sirko-S1 platform can carry a load weighing up to 200 kilograms at a distance of up to 2.5 kilometers and conduct reconnaissance positions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The drone has been tested in extreme conditions and can return on its own in case of loss of communication.

Servicemen of the 6th special purpose battalion of the 12th special purpose brigade “Azov” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received Ukrainian-made ground robotic platforms Sirko-S1, designed for reconnaissance, cargo transportation and evacuation of the wounded. The relevant video was published by volunteer Ihor Lachenkov on Facebook on June 5.

It is reported that the volunteers managed to collect 11.7 million hryvnias for the fighters of “Azov”. These funds were used to purchase drones, equipment and cars. Sirko-S1 ground robots can be seen in the released video. According to the volunteer, the devices have already arrived in the battalion's arsenal.

At the beginning of April, you donated 6th “Azov” battalion UAH 10 million for equipment, drones and cars.

We managed to collect 11.7 million hryvnias and now all this property has reached the arsenal of the battalion, for which we report to you.

I am grateful to everyone who joined and contributed to equipping the newly formed… pic.twitter.com/8YKsDJ0uN9

— Ihor Lachenkov (@igorlachenkov) June 3, 2024

What is known about Sirko-S1 drones

As “Militaryny” notes, the ground platform Sirko-S1 was developed by the Ukrainian company Skylab, which is a member of the Brave1 defense cluster. Sirko-S1 is capable of carrying a payload weighing up to 200 kilograms over a distance of up to 2.5 kilometers. The device is equipped with a thermal imager, a system of laser rangefinders and a camera. It has an encrypted communication for control and video, as well as an electric drive on all four wheels with energy regeneration modes.

The robot can help the military evacuate the wounded, conduct reconnaissance of the positions of the Russian occupiers, and also transport various cargoes, in particular, deliver ammunition or provisions to fighters who are in hot spots.

It is reported that the development of Sirko-S1 took about half a year. Currently, the robotic platform is at the stage of serial production.

In November of last year, the Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov announced that the Ukrainian military began testing the ground robot Sirko at the front. He noted that the device showed good results in combat conditions and received positive feedback.

In the same month, the drone developer Yevhen Rvachev noted that the Sirko-S1 drone was tested under extreme conditions. For the first time, the robot was “forced” to perform maneuvers with a load of 200 kg in sub-zero temperatures, moving even on snowy roads.

In addition, in February of this year, Yevhen Rvachev reported that Sirko-S1 now knows how to return to the point where there is a communication, without GPS or even a compass, using only sensors. The new option ensures the return of Sirko-S1 from places where GPS does not work for some reason.