Russia likely plans to use motorcycles in offensives in Ukraine to offset drone threats, war experts say
"Russia is likely preparing to systematically integrate motorcycle usage into offensive operations in Ukraine for Summer and Fall 2025, likely to offset adept Ukrainian drone capabilities," the DC-based Institute for the Study of War said in a briefing over the weekend.
It pointed to evidence of Russia training, as well as warnings from a Ukrainian military official and recent footage of Russian soldiers using motorcycles in Ukraine.
The ISW highlighted comments from Ukraine's Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn, the spokesman for the Kharkiv Group of Forces, who said that Russia was training its soldiers on combat tactics with motorcycles.
Shamshyn said this suggested that Russia will carry out assault operations later this year using motorcycles, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspline reported.
Shamshyn also said motorcycles could benefit Russia because many drones would be needed to stop a group of motorcycles, and because motorcycles can move fast and travel a long distance while drones are being prepared and launched.
He said that one advantage for Ukraine is that the loud noise of motorcycles means Russian soldiers would likely not be able to hear the sound of Ukrainian drones approaching.
Already in use in Ukraine
Russia has already been seen using some motorcycles in Ukraine.
An American veteran fighting for Ukraine told Business Insider in October that some Russian soldiers "have motorcycles and stupid golf carts."
The ISW said it had seen an "increased trend of Russian units conducting mechanized and combined motorized assaults and transporting infantry with motorcycles and civilian vehicles throughout the frontline."
It also pointed to footage shared by Ukraine's Tactical Group "Vuhledar," a unit in Ukraine's ground forces, that it said showed Russian forces having "recently advanced during a motorized assault near Bahatyr comprised entirely of motorcycles and civilian vehicles."
Russian training
The ISW described this latest development as part of the Russian command's efforts to adapt tactics to offset Ukrainian drone strikes, as well as to likely mitigate "the Russian military's equipment constraints resulting from high armored vehicle losses in Summer and early Fall 2024."
Russia lost swathes of tanks and armored vehicles last year, while drones have played an increasingly important role in the conflict, taking over roles traditionally performed by soldiers and other weaponry.
On April 26, Russia's defense ministry shared footage showing a soldier riding a motorcycle through a course with explosions going off around him. It said that some troops were being trained for both offensive and defensive combat.
The ISW said the video likely showed "elements of the 299th (Airborne) VDV Regiment (98th VDV Division) practicing offensive and defensive tactics on motorcycles."
It added that the video "indicates that the Russian military is likely developing a tactical doctrine for systematic offensive motorcycle usage and may be preparing to issue an increased number of motorcycles to Russian personnel in Ukraine."
Russia was seen using fast but poorly protected vehicles like ATVs and motorbikes in Ukraine last year, according to the UK's Ministry of Defence.
It described Russia as making a sacrifice for increased mobility, leaving its soldiers more vulnerable than they would be in heavier armored vehicles. "Ukrainian FPV drones have already demonstrated their ability to effectively target such light vehicles," it said.
Reports from last year also pointed to Russian troops using quad bikes in Ukraine.
Russia leaning further into this tactic could make its soldiers more vulnerable, but it could also create major problems for Ukraine's military.
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