NATO forces near the Russian border are increasingly dealing with combat operations that involve ground robots, according to reporting from Military Times and Defense News. A Latvian commander is cited saying that NATO is “a little bit behind” because it has relied more heavily on air drones so far. The articles describe an operational shift in which ground unmanned systems are being used and integrated alongside other unmanned capabilities in the regional context of heightened military readiness. Both outlets frame the issue as a practical challenge for NATO commanders and units—adapting tactics, training, and day-to-day procedures to account for ground robotics in environments where they may support surveillance, logistics, or direct combat roles. While the sources emphasize the learning curve created by prior reliance on aerial systems, they do not attribute the delays to a specific technical failure or cite particular incident details. Overall, the reporting centers on how NATO is managing the transition to broader robotic capabilities near the border, with ground robots becoming an increasingly relevant part of combat planning and execution.