Robots That Battled the Notre-Dame Fire Are Set to Aid Ukrainian Firefighters
France Delivers 40 Colossus Firefighting Robots to Ukraine for Rescue Operations.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to European Pravda, citing the French Embassy in Ukraine on social media platform X.
France has donated 40 Colossus firefighting robots to Ukrainian rescuers, which have already proven their effectiveness during the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire in Paris. The delivery, supported by the French government, was made to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The Colossus robots, developed by Shark Robotics in close cooperation with the French fire service, are designed for performing complex rescue operations in hazardous conditions. They can extinguish fires, evacuate victims, and operate in areas where human presence would be too dangerous.
The Colossus model has already been successfully used in firefighting operations in Paris, including at Notre-Dame, demonstrating the ability to work for over 10 hours in extreme conditions. The new robots are intended to significantly simplify the work of Ukrainian firefighters and enhance the safety of rescue operations.
The robot delivery is part of broader Franco-Ukrainian cooperation. In August 2025, the implementation of a €200 million intergovernmental grant agreement was completed, covering 19 key projects in energy, healthcare, water supply, transportation, and demining.
Among these projects was the delivery of 40 Shark Robotics rescue robots. French companies such as GE Vernova, Dessintey, and Schiller Medical were reportedly involved in implementing these initiatives, combining international expertise with the needs of Ukrainian communities.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly complicated the work of emergency services, with shelling and damaged infrastructure putting human responders at constant risk. Firefighting and rescue operations in conflict-affected areas are often too dangerous for people to enter. Colossus robots help bridge this gap, allowing rescuers to extinguish fires, evacuate civilians, and operate safely in environments that would otherwise be inaccessible.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Latvia has donated 16 fire trucks and emergency rescue equipment to Ukraine, with the handover taking place on August 8 and involving government officials and volunteer firefighters.