"The toy is delivered," a Ukrainian soldier whispers into the radio.

In the dead of night, he and his partner move quickly to roll out their cargo from a van. Speed is crucial as they are within the range of deadly Russian drones.

The fifth brigade's new "toy" is an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), a robot that provides a lifeline for Ukrainian troops at the front in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd, a strategic hub in eastern Ukraine.

Russian forces are relentlessly trying to cut off Ukraine's supply routes in the area.

Without fresh food and ammunition, Ukraine's frontline soldiers would face a choice of either surrender or a costly retreat.