Ukraine is set to deploy new "snail robots" on the frontlines of its war with Russia, allowing its forces to be supplied in tricky terrain swamped by Russian President Valdimir Putin's troops.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence announced on Friday that the robots would be used for bring cargo through frozen rural areas and would soon be deployed in key parts of eastern Ukraine, which has been the focus of attacks by Russia.

Russian military has made recent advances which have forced Volodymyr Zelensky's fighters to pull back and reorganize forces in a number key regions, including Donetsk, Newsweek reports.

The area, which has been a key target for Putin, is difficult to navigate due to the bitter Ukrainian winter and rural terrain, and proves especially difficult for heavy armored equipment.

The new vehicle called Ravlyk, or the "snail," can carry several hundred kilograms of cargo and even carry a two-ton trailer behind it, making it a key tool for resupplying or repositioning soldiers on the battlefield.

They're also designed to weather harsh conditions, described by the ministry as being suited towards "off-road terrain, swamps, sandbanks, narrow ditches, and low vertical obstacles."

Ukraine Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Klimenkov said in a statement: "Ravlyk is small and easy to transport on a car trailer. It weighs a little over half a tonne and can carry several hundred kilograms of cargo or pull a nearly two-tonne trailer.

"Thanks to its design features and the implementation of modern engineering solutions, the Snail easily overcomes off-road terrain, swamps, sandbanks, narrow ditches, and low vertical obstacles.

"This robot can be used as a universal platform to perform a wide range of tasks," he added.

Unmanned vehicles and drones have become key weapons in the arsenals of both Russia and Ukraine almost three years into the war, which began with Russia's invasion in February 2022.

Drones have been used to carry out devastating strikes on Ukrainian cities, while Kyiv has fought back with attacks behind Russian enemy lines without having to risk any of its troops.

Meanwhile Zelenskyy said earlier this week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region, which was captured in a lightening assault by Ukraine's forces.

It marked the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties several weeks after Kyiv announced that North Korea had sent 10,000 to 12,000 troops to help its ally, Russia.

The Kremlin has denied the involvement of North Korean troops despite claims of mounting evidence from Kyiv.

The casualty disclosure came as the Biden administration was pressing to send as much military aid as possible to Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes over in January.