Russia is planning to blast two robot astronauts into space to work on the international space station.

Scientists have developed the advanced machines, named FEDOR, to conduct rescues - even though they have recently been recently trained to use firearms.

According to RIA Novosti, the robots could be blasted into space as soon as August 2019.

Russian scientists plan to blast a robot to orbit to work on the International Space Station

Russian technicians have been training the robot to perform various tasks

They have trained the machine to operate tools in the hope it can perform space walks

Unlike previous robots, DefenseOne.com reports that these will be sent into orbit as crew members on board the Soyuz rocket and not placed into the hold.

However, no humans will be on board during the launch.

A YouTube video shows FEDOR - which stands for Final Experimental Demonstration Research - performing tasks such as lifting weights and doing push-ups.

Russian experts hope it will one day be able to help build a lunar base.

A key task for Fedor will be to 'assist in construction and use of bases' on the moon and potentially other planets, said its Russian designers FPI.

Officials believe the robots could be used on tasks which are too dangerous for humans

Putin's deputy premier Dmitry Rogozin said: 'This thing can work without a space suit, live not only in a crew vehicle, but even outside it. Its name is Fyodor'.

Fedor stands 6-foot tall, weighs no less than 233 pounds depending on extra equipment, and can lift up to 44 pounds of cargo.

'During space walking missions and on other planets, astronauts will rely on robots,' said Sergei Khurs, head of the project and director of the National Center for Technology Development and Basic Robotics.

Russian experts hope it will one day be able to help build a base on the moon. A key task for Fedor will be to 'assist in construction and use of bases' on the moon and potentially other planets, said its Russian designers FPI