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Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Russia boosts motorcycle and quadbike tactics in Ukraine conflict
Listen to article Russia's military is expanding its use of small squads on motorcycles and quadbikes along Ukraine's frontlines, as it prepares for fresh offensives, according to Ukrainian officials and military analysts. The Russian Defence Ministry take a step to soldiers training in groups of two or three, riding motorbikes through a course to a pulsating electronic soundtrack. Russian forces have deployed motorcycles and quadbikes in several sectors of the front for over a year to try and evade Ukrainian drone surveillance. Ukraine expects a major Russian offensive in the coming months, as Moscow seeks to gain ground before any potential ceasefire agreement. Ukrainian commanders call the motorbike assaults "banzai attacks", referring to their high speed and high risk. "They can advance very quickly, get behind the lines," said Ukrainian commander Andriy Otchenash earlier this month, noting that Russian casualties from these tactics were heavy. The Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication said the motorcycle tactics showed Russia's shortage of heavier military equipment, but also its ability to adapt to battlefield conditions. On Saturday, Ukraine reported it had repelled a Russian assault on the village of Bahatyr, Donetsk region, destroying 15 motorcycles and killing around 40 Russian troops. Ukrainian military also highlighted drones striking motorbikes in open fields. Ukrainian officials also noted that Russian forces had been using more quadbikes around Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, where fighting has largely been static for the past year. Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn said motorcycles offered speed and manoeuvrability but came with a major drawback: riders could not hear incoming drones because of the noise of the engines. Russian state media has been highlighting the benefits of deploying motorbike units. Troops can loading an injured soldier onto the back of a motorcycle in muddy fields. Last week, Russia Today reported that motorcyclists were being used to plant mines and featured an interview with a soldier from the 39th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade, who is part of a newly formed motorbike group. "Our main advantage is the ability to drive straight into enemy positions and neutralise them," the soldier said. He added that the noise of the motorcycles caused panic among enemy troops, often forcing them to abandon their positions. The Russian military is also employing motorcycles for casualty evacuation. The Telegram channel of the Defence Ministry's outlet, Zvezda, reported last week that marines fighting in the Kursk region were using all-terrain bikes to evacuate wounded soldiers and civilians. Last year, the UK Ministry of Defence noted that Russian forces were increasingly using off-road and all-terrain vehicles for night-time assaults. However, it also warned that Ukrainian FPV drones, capable of striking directly at targets, had exposed the vulnerability of these lightly protected vehicles. In late 2023, President Vladimir Putin inspected Chinese-manufactured all-terrain vehicles purchased for the Russian army. At that time, around 500 had already been deployed, and the Defence Ministry had ordered approximately 1,500 more.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian military turns to motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drones on frontlines
The Russian military is planning to increase the use of small squads on motorcycles and quadbikes on the frontlines in Ukraine as it plans fresh offensives, according to the Ukrainian military and analysts of the conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry published video on Saturday showing units practising tactics in groups of two or three motorbikes, with a rider seen navigating a course to the sound of a pulsating electronic soundtrack. Russian forces have used motorbikes and quads in several areas of the frontlines in an effort to evade Ukrainian drones for more than a year. But the Institute for the Study of War in Washington says the latest Russian 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.' Ukraine expects a major Russian offensive in the next few months as Moscow tries to capture more territory before any ceasefire agreement. The Ukrainian military calls the motorbike assaults 'banzai attacks.' One Ukrainian commander, Andriy Otchenash, said earlier this month that the motorcycles are designed for a quick blitzkrieg. 'They can advance very quickly, get behind the lines,' he said, but losses on the Russian side were very high. 'It indicates that the enemy does not have a large amount of military offensive equipment, but on the other hand, it is an adaptation to the conditions of war,' said the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication. On Saturday, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled a Russian assault on the village of Bahatyr on the Donetsk frontlines, destroying 15 motorcycles and killing about 40 Russian soldiers. It distributed video of drones eliminating a number of motorbikes in open countryside. The Ukrainian military reported in February the Russians were using more quadbikes around Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk, where the frontlines have barely moved over the past year. One Ukrainian military spokesman, Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn, said the use of motorbikes was a mixed blessing for Russian troops. Their speed and manoeuvrability helped them to evade Ukrainian drones, but the noise of a bike prevented riders from hearing drones. Russian state media has been promoting the advantages of motorbike units. Russia Today reported last week that motorcyclists were planting mines and interviewed a soldier with the 39th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade, who is part of a new motorised group. 'Our main advantage is that we can drive directly into [the enemy's position] and neutralise everyone,' he said. The enemy 'hear the roar of the motorcycles, and it causes panic among them. They simply abandon their positions and run away.' The Russian military is also using motorbikes to evacuate the wounded. The Telegram account of the Defense Ministry's publication Zvezda reported last week that Russian marines fighting in the Kursk region were using all-terrain motorcycles to evacuate civilians and wounded soldiers. Video showed a soldier being put on the back of a bike in muddy fields. Last year, the UK's Defense Ministry said the Russians were increasingly using off-road bikes and all-terrain vehicles for night-time attacks. But it noted that Ukrainian FPV drones, which fly into their target, had already demonstrated how vulnerable such unprotected vehicles were. Late in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles being procured for the Russian army. At that point some 500 were already in service, and the Defense Ministry ordered around 1,500 more.
CNN
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Russian military turns to motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drones on frontlines
The Russian military is planning to increase the use of small squads on motorcycles and quadbikes on the frontlines in Ukraine as it plans fresh offensives, according to the Ukrainian military and analysts of the conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry published video on Saturday showing units practising tactics in groups of two or three motorbikes, with a rider seen navigating a course to the sound of a pulsating electronic soundtrack. Russian forces have used motorbikes and quads in several areas of the frontlines in an effort to evade Ukrainian drones for more than a year. But the Institute for the Study of War in Washington says the latest Russian 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.' Ukraine expects a major Russian offensive in the next few months as Moscow tries to capture more territory before any ceasefire agreement. The Ukrainian military calls the motorbike assaults 'banzai attacks.' One Ukrainian commander, Andriy Otchenash, said earlier this month that the motorcycles are designed for a quick blitzkrieg. 'They can advance very quickly, get behind the lines,' he said, but losses on the Russian side were very high. 'It indicates that the enemy does not have a large amount of military offensive equipment, but on the other hand, it is an adaptation to the conditions of war,' said the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication. On Saturday, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled a Russian assault on the village of Bahatyr on the Donetsk frontlines, destroying 15 motorcycles and killing about 40 Russian soldiers. It distributed video of drones eliminating a number of motorbikes in open countryside. The Ukrainian military reported in February the Russians were using more quadbikes around Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk, where the frontlines have barely moved over the past year. One Ukrainian military spokesman, Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn, said the use of motorbikes was a mixed blessing for Russian troops. Their speed and manoeuvrability helped them to evade Ukrainian drones, but the noise of a bike prevented riders from hearing drones. Russian state media has been promoting the advantages of motorbike units. Russia Today reported last week that motorcyclists were planting mines and interviewed a soldier with the 39th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade, who is part of a new motorised group. 'Our main advantage is that we can drive directly into [the enemy's position] and neutralise everyone,' he said. The enemy 'hear the roar of the motorcycles, and it causes panic among them. They simply abandon their positions and run away.' The Russian military is also using motorbikes to evacuate the wounded. The Telegram account of the Defense Ministry's publication Zvezda reported last week that Russian marines fighting in the Kursk region were using all-terrain motorcycles to evacuate civilians and wounded soldiers. Video showed a soldier being put on the back of a bike in muddy fields. Last year, the UK's Defense Ministry said the Russians were increasingly using off-road bikes and all-terrain vehicles for night-time attacks. But it noted that Ukrainian FPV drones, which fly into their target, had already demonstrated how vulnerable such unprotected vehicles were. Late in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles being procured for the Russian army. At that point some 500 were already in service, and the Defense Ministry ordered around 1,500 more.
CNN
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Russian military turns to motorbikes to evade Ukrainian drones on frontlines
The Russian military is planning to increase the use of small squads on motorcycles and quadbikes on the frontlines in Ukraine as it plans fresh offensives, according to the Ukrainian military and analysts of the conflict. The Russian Defense Ministry published video on Saturday showing units practising tactics in groups of two or three motorbikes, with a rider seen navigating a course to the sound of a pulsating electronic soundtrack. Russian forces have used motorbikes and quads in several areas of the frontlines in an effort to evade Ukrainian drones for more than a year. But the Institute for the Study of War in Washington says the latest Russian 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.' Ukraine expects a major Russian offensive in the next few months as Moscow tries to capture more territory before any ceasefire agreement. The Ukrainian military calls the motorbike assaults 'banzai attacks.' One Ukrainian commander, Andriy Otchenash, said earlier this month that the motorcycles are designed for a quick blitzkrieg. 'They can advance very quickly, get behind the lines,' he said, but losses on the Russian side were very high. 'It indicates that the enemy does not have a large amount of military offensive equipment, but on the other hand, it is an adaptation to the conditions of war,' said the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication. On Saturday, the Ukrainian military said it had repelled a Russian assault on the village of Bahatyr on the Donetsk frontlines, destroying 15 motorcycles and killing about 40 Russian soldiers. It distributed video of drones eliminating a number of motorbikes in open countryside. The Ukrainian military reported in February the Russians were using more quadbikes around Chasiv Yar, also in Donetsk, where the frontlines have barely moved over the past year. One Ukrainian military spokesman, Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn, said the use of motorbikes was a mixed blessing for Russian troops. Their speed and manoeuvrability helped them to evade Ukrainian drones, but the noise of a bike prevented riders from hearing drones. Russian state media has been promoting the advantages of motorbike units. Russia Today reported last week that motorcyclists were planting mines and interviewed a soldier with the 39th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade, who is part of a new motorised group. 'Our main advantage is that we can drive directly into [the enemy's position] and neutralise everyone,' he said. The enemy 'hear the roar of the motorcycles, and it causes panic among them. They simply abandon their positions and run away.' The Russian military is also using motorbikes to evacuate the wounded. The Telegram account of the Defense Ministry's publication Zvezda reported last week that Russian marines fighting in the Kursk region were using all-terrain motorcycles to evacuate civilians and wounded soldiers. Video showed a soldier being put on the back of a bike in muddy fields. Last year, the UK's Defense Ministry said the Russians were increasingly using off-road bikes and all-terrain vehicles for night-time attacks. But it noted that Ukrainian FPV drones, which fly into their target, had already demonstrated how vulnerable such unprotected vehicles were. Late in 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin inspected Chinese-made all-terrain vehicles being procured for the Russian army. At that point some 500 were already in service, and the Defense Ministry ordered around 1,500 more.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
The Triple Tap Raid On the Engels Bomber Base Cost Russia $9.6 Billion
The result of a Ukrainian deep strike. Ukrainian defense ministry photo On the morning of March 20, Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian air force bomber base at Engels for the third time in 10 weeks. According to the Ukrainian general staff, the resulting blast destroyed 96 Kh-101 cruise missiles—some of Russia's best munitions for striking Ukrainian cities. Launched by Tupolev Tu-95 and Tu-160 heavy bombers, each Kh-101 travels as far as 560 miles with a 1,000-pound warhead. The general staff in Kyiv claimed planners in Moscow had designated the targeted Kh-101s for raids on Ukrainian cities this month and next. Those 96 destroyed missiles accounted for two months of production at the Raduga Design Bureau munitions factory near Moscow. Each Kh-101 costs at least $10 million. That means the strike on Engels may have carried a price tag of $9.6 billion—not counting the additional damage to fuel storage and other facilities at the base. As explosions rocked the base and smoke billowed into the sky on March 20, Engels was 'facing serious difficulties,' the Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communication quipped. Indeed, the difficulties began two months ago. On Jan. 8, Ukrainian drones flew at least 400 miles to strike in Saratov near Engels. The blasts triggered a blaze at a sprawling depot containing as much as 800,000 tons of fuel. The fire finally burned itself out, or firefighters extinguished it, after six days. Hours later on Jan. 14, drones struck a second time. 'There will be no rest for the wicked,' Stratcom warned. Maybe. In fact, the damage at Engels can be repaired. Raduga might be able to ramp up production of new Kh-101s. And Ukraine may struggle to acquire enough deep-strike munitions to sustain repeated strikes on Engels. Saratov burns following a Ukrainian deep strike. Via Supernova Ukraine has developed a dizzying array of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, including some based on modified sport planes that can range 800 miles with hundreds of pounds of explosives. It has also developed a 600-mile version of its iconic Neptune cruise missile—and recently deployed it for the first time. Kyiv has devoted a significant portion of this deep-strike arsenal to attacks on Russian munitions depots such as the one at Engels. But the raids, which often produce towering fireballs that lend themselves to dramatic social media posts, may be more gratifying to the Ukrainians than they are militarily effective. According to Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight, more than half of the observed Ukrainian strikes between September and February—many of them aimed at munitions stocks—'had limited impact' as crews rushed to fix the afflicted facilities and Russian industry adapted to compensate for lost production. Attacking more often, and with heavier munitions than lightweight attack drones, might inflict lasting damage, Frontelligence Insight concluded. But Ukraine doesn't get enough of the best foreign-made deep-strike munitions—British-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, similar French-made SCALP missiles and American-made ATACMS rockets—to mount an intensive campaign targeting Russian logistics. And it doesn't yet build enough similar munitions, including Neptunes, on its own. It's not for no reason that, in recent months, Ukrainian strike planners have shifted their aim—and are now launching more drone attacks on Russia's delicate, and economically vital, oil infrastructure. They're hoping the damage to the oil industry will ultimately have greater impact than the damage to weapons depots. Even if the depot strikes look better on camera.
