What does the future of warfare look like? In this extraordinary episode of the Restricted Handling Podcast, hosts Ryan Fugit and Glenn Corn speak with Makar, a frontline Ukrainian soldier turned pioneering robotics commander, joining the conversation directly from active operations. This is one of the most compelling interviews we've ever done—an inside look at the first fully robotic ground-combat company in modern history.

Makar joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. He fought as an infantryman in the liberation of Kyiv, transitioned into a storm-trooper unit, and later led assault teams in the brutal battles for Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Today, he commands what may be the world’s first company of entirely unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs)—assault robots, fire-support platforms, logistics vehicles, and evacuation machines operating together as a coordinated fighting element.

In this episode, he recounts the first-ever forced surrender of Russian soldiers entirely by ground robots—a historic moment in warfare. He explains how his team planned the assault, how UGVs and FPV drones worked together, and how coordination, recon, and battlefield engineering made the operation possible. Ryan and Glenn break down why this event signals a fundamental shift in how modern wars will be fought.

The conversation dives deep into:
• How Ukraine iterates battlefield technology in real time
• Why 80% of battlefield success now depends on tech and operators, not just soldiers
• The Russian tactics in the east—mass infantry waves, encirclement attempts, and “meat grinder” assaults in cities like Avdiivka and Chasiv Yar
• How small Ukrainian assault groups have eliminated hundreds of attacking Russian troops in days
• What morale looks like inside a unit that is redefining warfare under constant fire
• Why Ukraine’s survival is inseparable from the security of Europe and the West

Makar offers a blunt and moving message: Ukraine is fighting a marathon war, and victory requires the right pace, relentless innovation, and a national will to survive. He describes the unimaginable price Ukrainians have paid—friends lost, cities destroyed, and generations of talent sacrificed—while emphasizing that Russia’s aggression will not stop at Ukraine’s borders if it is not defeated.

He also shares what Ukraine needs most from Western partners:
• Air-defense systems to protect civilians from missiles and Shahed drones
• More robots and components to accelerate technological superiority
• Continued attention, because the outcome of this war will shape global security for decades

This is an emotional, raw, and inspirational discussion. Glenn and Ryan highlight the heroism of Ukraine’s young fighters and the extraordinary resilience they’ve witnessed on the ground. Makar closes with a powerful vision for Ukraine’s future—and a reminder that the country’s defenders are not only fighting for their homeland, but for the stability of the entire free world.

If you want to understand the real state of the war, the rapid evolution of combat robotics, and the human cost behind the headlines, this is a must-listen episode.

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