Russia appears to be assembling tactical motorcycle units in an effort to counter Ukrainian drone strikes.
On Saturday, Moscow’s defence ministry released footage showing a paratrooper training on a dirt bike at a Russian military base, practising storming enemy positions.
Wearing full combat gear and carrying a rifle across his back, the soldier raced over hills and around obstacles as explosions erupted alongside the track.
A caption accompanying the video stated: “Soldiers are practising offensive and defensive combat in two and three-man squads.”
Moscow’s defence ministry released footage showing a paratrooper training on a dirt bike at a Russian military base
GETTY
Although Russian forces have been using motorcycles in Ukraine for over a year, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington noted that the new footage suggests Moscow is likely "developing a tactical doctrine for systematic offensive motorcycle usage".
The ISW added that the Kremlin may soon supply more motorcycles to its forces in Ukraine and could roll out the new tactics during the summer campaign.
The switch to motorcycles is thought to be a response to the growing dominance of Ukrainian drones.
These are believed to account for around 70 per cent of battlefield casualties.
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Ukrainian military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Shamshyn, told the ISW that Russia is training troops in motorcycle combat tactics to enhance their speed and manoeuvrability- key to avoiding drone attacks.
However, he noted that the loud engines can make it harder for soldiers to hear incoming drones.
The ISW also observed a rise in Russian units using motorcycles for both transport and assault operations.
It reported that, following heavy losses of armoured vehicles during the summer and autumn of 2024, Russian forces have increasingly turned to civilian cars for military use.
In one recent incident near Bahatyr, Russian troops attempted an assault solely using motorcycles and civilian vehicles
REUTERS
In one recent incident near Bahatyr, Russian troops attempted an assault solely using motorcycles and civilian vehicles.
Ukrainian forces claimed they repelled the attack, destroying 15 of 18 motorcycles and damaging nine other vehicles.
In the Sumy region, Russia is reportedly sending small assault groups on quad bikes across the border from Kursk, aiming to seize positions in Ukrainian territory before reinforcements arrive.
While the use of motorcycles as assault vehicles is a relatively new tactic in modern warfare, motorbikes were widely used to deliver battlefield communications during the early 20th century.
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