Russian Demining Robot MT-10 Stalker Tested in Donbass Region Ukraine.

According to the Ministry of Defense of Russia, in a recent demonstration, the MT-10 Stalker, a Russian demining robot, was tested in the combat zone of Donbas, Ukraine. This marked its first deployment in this region since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Designed to clear minefields, this robotic complex was tested under real conditions, providing an insight into its effectiveness before potential mass production. This development is particularly significant as several NGO reports have announced that Ukrainian territory has become the country with the highest number of landmines.
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Screenshots from the video presentation of MT-10 Stalker in Donbas (Picture source: риа новости )

This remotely controlled tracked vehicle, weighing about 30 tons, is equipped with a side flange trawl that continuously clears fields of both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines buried up to 30 cm deep. This advanced mechanism ensures safe passage for military units and armored vehicles through heavily mined areas.

The robot was tested near Avdeevka, where it operated continuously, triggering explosions every half-minute to secure the area for Russian infantry. Despite repeated impacts, the durability of its armor allows it to continue its mission without interruption.

According to a representative from the engineering troops' office, known by the call sign "Brest", the Stalker is a heavy-duty machine that has proven its operational efficiency. It features a trawling width of about three meters, enhancing its operational capacity.

Developed by the Russian company DST-Ural, the Stalker is a remote-controlled tracked vehicle equipped with specialized demining equipment. The robot's operation is managed via a specific console, operated by a pilot located between 0.6 and 3 km away, depending on various conditions such as radio interference. Equipped with four cameras, Stalker transmits live images to the command center, providing operators with a comprehensive view for effective control. Powered by a 540-horsepower engine, Stalker can reach speeds of up to approximately 6.2 miles per hour. However, its speed decreases to about 5 km/h when engaging the demining device, highlighting the complexity of demining tasks, even for an advanced robot.

The robot is operated remotely using a control panel that resembles a video game console controller, though, as the engineer nicknamed "Ural" explains, the basic principles are simple and user-friendly. The current testing in the Donbas minefields is seen as a critical step before launching it into mass production. 

Additionally, the safety of the engineers is augmented by the "Patrol-IV" special vehicle, whose reliable armor protects against artillery shells, mines, and bullets, while also enhancing their mobility across the battlefield.

These initiatives are part of a broader effort to neutralize Russian sappers' munitions, particularly in Mariupol and in the regions of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), where they have already neutralized about 5,000 explosive devices. These operations underscore the increasing importance of robotic technology in modern military strategies, particularly in ensuring the safety of troops in hazardous environments. Furthermore, the use of demining drones represents a crucial issue, notably for clearing conflict zones before the return of civilian populations.

Defense News April 2024