Ukraine Received Phantom MK-1 Humanoid Combat Robots
- 13.03.2026, 15:37
They should eventually replace the soldiers at the front.
The Phantom MK-1 humanoid robot soldiers have been handed over to Ukraine. They are to be tested to assess their capabilities in combat conditions.
The technology is seen as a potential tool for performing reconnaissance tasks and supporting the military on the front line.
The company noted that the first two Phantom MK-1 robots were delivered to Ukraine in February, the company told the Foundation in a comment to Time.
They look like a humanoid soldier with artificial intelligence: the body is made of black steel and the face is covered by a tinted glass visor. During the demonstration, the robot uses a variety of weapons, including a revolver, a pistol, a shotgun and a replica of an M-16 rifle.
"We believe there is a moral imperative to use these robots for war, not soldiers," says Mike LeBlanc.
A 14-year Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is co-founder of Foundation, the company that makes Phantom. He says the goal is for the robot to be able to wield "any weapon a human can have."
Leblanc says humanoid soldiers are a natural extension of existing autonomous systems such as drones. Robots do not suffer from fatigue or fear and can operate continuously in extreme environments, being immune to radiation, chemicals or biological agents. Moreover, LeBlanc believes that giant armies of humanoid robots will eventually negate each side's tactical advantage in any conflict, much like nuclear deterrents, exponentially reducing the risks of escalation.
In February, two Phantom were sent to Ukraine - first to support frontline reconnaissance. In Ukraine, the spectrum of autonomy expanded to new frontiers. For LeBlanc, who has flown more than 300 combat missions for the Marines, what he discovered when he took the Phantom to Ukraine was "really shocking," he says.
"It's total robot warfare, where the robot is the primary fighter and the humans provide support. It's the exact opposite of when I was in Afghanistan: humans were everything and we had additional tools," Mike LeBlanc said.
Ukraine, which now launches up to 9,000 drones daily, has become a major global testing ground for weapons manufacturers. Among those firms is Foundation, which wants to take Phantoms to the front lines of combat to hone the technology. LeBlanc says what he's seen in Ukraine only reinforces his belief in the value of humanoid soldiers. On the front lines, troops are very vulnerable to drone attacks.
That's why humanoid soldiers can be invaluable for resupply and reconnaissance work, especially in places drones can't access, such as low bunkers. With a human-like heat signature, robots such as Phantom can also confuse the enemy.