Russia may unleash parachuting attack dogs, robot tanks, and other 'war toys'

As Russian troops spend a fifth day trying to make progress in Ukraine, some have wondered if Russian President Vladimir Putin will dip into the country’s more interesting – and terrifying – weapons.

The U.K.’s Mirror reported on some of the unconventional weaponry in the Russian arsenal that may see action in the Ukrainian conflict.

Robot tanks

Russian defense claims to have successfully tested unmanned tanks in Syria and are now operational. Armed with rockets, machine guns and flamethrowers, the Uran-9 strike robot they are intended to take out enemy fortifications like trenches.

These robot tanks are understood to be able to act independently or groups using AI and remote control.

Russia is also said to be developing other unmanned assault vehicles, like the BMPT-72 “Terminator,” which is supposed to be able to survive nuclear explosions, and the “invisible” T-14 super tank.

Kamikaze drones

Russia’s Lancet drones, dubbed “Flying Kalashnikovs,” are unmanned drones with a warhead, designed to crash into their targets like ships or other drones. Known as “loitering munitions,” a swarm of the X-winged drones could be programmed to loiter around a target area and attack anything in range.

Parachute dogs

Russian military footage has shown paratroopers landing in “hot zones” with a dog in tow through the use of tandem parachutes. Research is underway to allow for dogs to be dropped from 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) up in the air.

"Supplies of the man-dog parachute system to the Russian defence ministry will begin in 2022,” Technodinamika, a Russian aircraft equipment company, said.

The dogs are usually used in search and rescue operations, but are also trained to provide security for combat missions.

‘Invisible’ drones

The S-70 Okhotnik (Russian for “hunter”) stealth drone is flat and tail-less, making it almost invisible to radar. It is said to be able to fly from Moscow to London and back carrying missiles and reconnaissance equipment, and can also provide support to a formation of manned aircraft.

Land-water tanks

The 18-ton Sprut-SDM1 tank is designed to be parachuted onto land or into water. It can even fire its anti-tank gun while floating at sea.