Russia likely plans to use motorcycles in offensives in Ukraine to offset drone threats, war experts say
Russia looks set to incorporate motorcycles into upcoming offensives, a US think tank said.
It said Russia was likely trying to find a way around Ukraine's major drone capabilities.
A Ukrainian officer said Russians are training on motorcycles and they're hard to stop with drones.
Russia is likely readying to further incorporate motorcycles into its tactics for upcoming offensives against Ukraine, in order to offset drones, a US think tank said.
"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.
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."
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.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Can Trump pull off peace plans, trade deals at the G7? What to know about the summit
Can Trump pull off peace plans, trade deals at the G7? What to know about the summit Show Caption Hide Caption Army 250th anniversary parade marches on despite weather worries President Donald Trump's controversial military parade kicked off 30 minutes early to avoid inclement weather. WASHINGTON – When President Donald Trump went to Charlevoix, Canada, in 2018 for a meeting of the world's wealthiest nations, the visit was encapsulated by one photo. The image showed world leaders confronting the U.S. president, who remained seated while they stood, his arms crossed. Trump had railed against former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the 2018 Group of Seven summit, and he would yank the United States from a joint statement after he'd already departed. The leaders fought at the time over his retaliatory steel and aluminum tariffs. The G7 summit changes hands annually, and it just so happens to be Canada's turn to host again this week. Canadian leaders say they're eager to avoid the disarray that defined the gathering back in 2018, working to minimize any outward appearance of divisions. Trump has often been a disruptor at global gatherings, badgering U.S. allies and competitors alike to adopt policies more favorable to the United States. But a conflict that erupted last week between Israel and Iran over Tehran's illicit nuclear program could change the dynamic in 2025, as the U.S. president flies to the foothills of the Rockies for the G7 summit. The president may not want to be a disrupter this time around: Instead, he could try to keep his international colleagues focused on solutions in the Middle East. 'Trump wants some kind of deescalation,' said Josh Lipsky, a G7 organizer for former President Barack Obama who chairs the international economics program at the Atlantic Council. 'That's what all the leaders around the table want. There's an avenue here where Trump plays a more traditional role.' What will happen at the G7 summit? Israel and Iran will be front-and-center at the summit, after the countries launched additional missile attacks on the eve of the event. The volley comes after nuclear talks between the United States and Iranian negotiators that had been scheduled to take place on June 15 were canceled, despite a focused effort from Trump to keep them on track. He told Tehran in social media posts and interviews with American journalists that a reinvigorated agreement was the only diplomatic offramp. And Trump is eager to make an agreement with Israel and Iran as war between Israel and Hamas also tears at the region. "We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict!!!" Trump shared on Truth Social early Sunday morning. Instead of focusing on global financial issues and having a security discussion that is mostly about China and Russia, the conflict in the Middle East will naturally take up a larger portion of the discussion, Kelly Ann Shaw, who was Trump's representative to the economic club in the latter part of his first term, told USA TODAY. 'There's going to be a tremendous amount of concern about this exploding into a much broader regional conflict and what that means for every country participating in the G7,' she said. Trump has been laying the groundwork to play peacemaker: Ahead of the summit, Trump spoke to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about the conflict and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country was kicked out of the informal gathering after it annexed Crimea in 2014. 'He feels, as do I, this war in Israel-Iran should end, to which I explained, his war should also end,' Trump said of his hour-long conversation with Putin June 14. Russia helped facilitate a previous deal to curtail Iran's uranium enrichment program, which Trump pulled the United States out of in his first term. In a nod to how much the fighting between Israel and Iran was upending the regular international order, Trump said he and Putin spent 'much less time' on the phone talking about the Russian leader's assault on Ukraine. 'That will be for next week,' Trump said, referring to a NATO Summit that will bring the U.S. and its military allies together in late June in the Netherlands. Leaders won't only talk about Iran and Israel. After all, tariffs are one of the main issues agitating Trump and his counterparts during his second-chance presidency. Since 2018, Trump has expanded his tariff regime, and they've become a centerpiece of his second term. Trade dealing could be on the table with Canada, the European Union and more. The president has advocated for the United States to absorb its northern neighbor – the host of the summit. And leaders still plan to discuss topics such as artificial intelligence and wildfire management. How will talks on tariffs, peacemaking play out? Of the group that attended the last G7 Summit in Canada, only Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron remain in power. The leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Canada and Italy have turned over since Trump was last in office. Gone is a typically long winded and hard-fought communique that every country has to agree to. Canada worked with G7 nations to come up with short, action-oriented leader statements on areas of common interest, a senior U.S. official said. 'I think it's a more pragmatic approach, frankly,' Shaw, the former Trump aide, assessed. 'And it really does get the G7 on what it's supposed to be doing – which is talking about the most pressing issues of the day.' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will encourage nations to 'stand together,' Canadian ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, said in an interview, including working through those issues in a mutually supportive way. 'That's going to be his main message to all of the leaders: build a coalition of like-minded countries that share values, that believe in international cooperation, believe in free and open exchange of ideas, of goods, of services, of the technologies that keep us all strong together and safe and secure,' she said. Still, the American president's tariffs are a challenge for G7 nations. A reprieve he offered most countries and the EU expires next month. He's in the midst of negotiating deals with several participating countries, including Japan and the UK, a country he reached a framework agreement with in May. A senior U.S. official said Trump was eager to pursue his trade goals and take part in working sessions at the G7 on migrants and drug smuggling, in addition to other topics. Hillman said there's no denying that countries are feeling the impact of Trump's tariffs. 'Those are issues I'm sure that the president will want to talk to leaders about, and leaders will want to exchange their views, as well.' Yet, Trump will be hard-pressed to play the role of peacemaker, after boasting, repeatedly, that existing conflicts would not have started had he won a second consecutive term. And while tariffs are likely to come up in individual sit-downs, world leaders were already aiming to avoid a public clash with Trump like the one that unfolded in the infamous 2018 photo, Lipsky said. They have a very clear objective this time, he added. 'You have the leaders of the world's largest advanced democracies in one room for a weekend. And if they can't coordinate on some signal to both the Israelis and the Iranians, then they'll never be able to do it,' Lipsky said.
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Ukraine drone attack on Russia's Tatarstan region leaves at least 1 dead, 13 injured
One person was killed and 13 others wounded Sunday in a Ukrainian drone attack in Russia's Tatarstan region, local authorities said. Regional Gov. Rustam Minnikhanov said the drone was destroyed, but falling debris ignited a fire and struck a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Yelabuga district, some 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) from the frontline. Russia's defense ministry said it shot down six Ukrainian drones overnight. Russia launched 183 drones and decoys, along with 11 missiles, at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force, which said its air defenses destroyed 111 drones and eight missiles, while another 48 drones were jammed. Officials in the Poltava region said the overnight attack damaged energy and agricultural infrastructure, but there were no casualties. Continuing a renewed battlefield push along eastern and northeastern parts of the more than 600-mile front line, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed Sunday that its troops captured another village in the Donetsk region, Malynivka. The Ukrainian military had no immediate comment on the Russian claim. The continued attacks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a lengthy call , during which Trump said that he pressed Putin to end the war in Ukraine . In other developments, Russia repatriated more bodies of fallen soldiers in line with an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, Russian officials said Sunday, cited by Russian state media. The officials said Ukraine did not return any bodies to Russia on Sunday. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed in a statement that Russia returned 1,200 bodies. The agreement to exchange prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers was the only tangible outcome of the June 2 Istanbul talks. The first round of the staggered exchanges took place on Monday. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of the war at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Is it possible to boost the US birth rate? Here's what other countries have tried
(NEXSTAR) – The Trump administration is reportedly seeking ways to raise the American birth rate, considering incentives ranging from a $5,000 cash 'baby bonus' to a 'National Medal of Motherhood' awarded to women with more than six children. Would a trophy or tax break be enough to convince Americans to have more children? Countries around the world with plummeting birth rates have test driven all sorts of strategies to promote procreating, and it turns out it's a tough task. People and policymakers may want to boost the birth rate for a variety of reasons, from cultural to economic. The primary economic concern is that if a country's birth rate drops too low, and there isn't enough immigration to bring in younger workers, the country will be left with an aging population that needs support but a smaller tax base of workers to support them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the U.S. birth rate dropped to 1.6 children per woman in 2023 – a new historic low. To be at replacement levels, the birth rate would have to be a bit higher at 2.1. That's generally accepted as the level at which each generation ensures it replaces itself. While the U.S. birth rate is lower than it has ever been before, it's still higher than our North American neighbors to the north and dozens of other countries around the world. Canada's fertility rate is at 1.3, according to World Bank Data. Any countries around Europe and Asia have rates that are even lower, including Italy (1.2), Spain (1.1), Japan (1.2) and Korea (0.7). Australia and New Zealand also have fertility rates lower than the United States'. The U.S. is far from the first country to show concern over a shrinking population. Singapore, which has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, has tried doling out sizable cash incentives. Couples get the equivalent of about $8,500 for their first and second children, CNBC reports, and $10,000 for their third child and beyond. Those bonuses don't go very far, however, with Singapore's ultra-high cost of living. The cost of raising a child isn't cheap here either. LendingTree recently estimated it costs about $29,000 a year. 'The one-time bonuses are definitely not very effective, and that's pretty widely shown,' Karen Benjamin Guzzo, director of UNC's Carolina Population Center, told PBS. For what it's worth, Singapore has also tried some less conventional routes. They once got desperate enough to make a PSA (complete with a song) encouraging couples to do their 'civic duty' by getting busy in the bedroom and 'letting their patriotism explode.' In Japan, where the fertility rate is dropping faster than projected, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as 'a silent emergency.' The government has promised to promote more flexible working environments and other measures that would help married couples to balance work and parenting, especially in rural areas where family values tend to be more conservative and harder on women. The younger generation isn't just reluctant to have kids, but also to get married due to bleak job prospects, a high cost of living and a gender-biased corporate culture that adds extra burdens for women and working mothers, experts say. While cash incentives and catchy songs haven't proven very effective at convincing people around the world to have children, one thing experts believe might work is cheap or free childcare. In a report last year, the U.S. Department of Labor described childcare as 'an almost prohibitive expense.' Even in affordable states, child care costs thousands of dollars a year. In pricier coastal communities, the median cost of infant care tops $30,000 a year. Though it's hard to predict if it would be a silver bullet, easing the child care cost burden – or completely eliminating it – is 'probably the thing that is most likely to have the impact on birth rates,' Guzzo said. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
