Russia was once considered a military superpower, but three years into its war against Ukraine, the image of an advanced army has collapsed. While Ukraine has successfully dismantled much of Russia’s modern weaponry using modified FPV drones, Russian forces continue to launch mass assaults with little regard for human losses. With heavy armoured vehicles becoming easy targets for Ukrainian attacks, Russian troops have resorted to using dirt bikes, scooters, and even animals to keep their offensives moving forward.
The Russian Armed Forces have 2.38 million personnel, with 1.5 million on active duty, making it the second largest military in the world. Russia has been able to maintain high recruitment rates by offering military contracts worth around $38,000 per year—fifteen times the country’s minimum wage. Many of these troops are sent in large scale frontal assaults against Ukrainian positions, often with little support. Due to Ukraine’s effective use of drones, Russian armoured vehicles have struggled to reach the front lines, forcing soldiers to use unconventional transport.
Temu Army: Russian soldiers are now motorized on scooters. pic.twitter.com/d17zFejiMf
— Clash Report (@clashreport) November 4, 2024
Dirt bikes, mopeds, and even motorcycles with sidecars have become common on the battlefield. Dirt bikes allow soldiers to move quickly across rough terrain but provide no protection. Ukrainian drone operators have turned these into easy targets, dropping explosives onto riders from the sky. Mopeds are slow and unreliable, highlighting Russia’s growing vehicle shortages. Meanwhile, vintage motorcycles with sidecars—last seen in World War Two—have reappeared, despite their limited practicality in modern combat.
Russian troops have also been seen using electric scooters in urban battle zones such as Bakhmut and Avdiivka. Their main advantage is that they allow silent movement at night, but they are fragile, have poor battery life, and are almost useless in muddy conditions. These are not tactical innovations but rather desperate improvisations caused by a lack of better equipment.
I can’t even believe I’m writing this:
russian assault in the Kupyansk direction repelled, 5 golf carts eliminated 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/XhRyuqlQqH
— Rocke Fella – NAFO Raccoon △ (@NAFORaccoon) July 14, 2024
Buggies, often used by reconnaissance and assault teams, have become another makeshift solution. Unlike armoured vehicles, buggies can move quickly through difficult terrain, but they offer no real protection. While similar vehicles have been used in conflicts such as Iraq and Syria, Russia is using them not out of choice but because so many of its armoured personnel carriers have been destroyed.
Perhaps the most striking development is the return of horses and donkeys to the battlefield. In the heavily forested regions of Donbas and Luhansk, where vehicles struggle to move, Russian forces have begun using horses to transport supplies, evacuate wounded soldiers, and carry out scouting missions. This echoes Soviet military tactics from World War Two when horses were widely used for logistics. Donkeys have also been repurposed for transporting ammunition and supplies, particularly in areas where motorised transport has been destroyed or cut off. There are even reports suggesting that donkeys have been used to carry explosives and drones, although their effectiveness in this role is questionable.
"World's second army" in all its glory. Rolling back to the times of the Russian Empire – complete with cavalry and drafting representatives of national minorities as cannon fodder.
These soldiers are from the Republic of Sakha, a region incredibly rich in natural resources.… pic.twitter.com/FNFQoioT2S
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) February 4, 2025
| Unconventional Transport Used by Russian Forces | Reason for Use | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Dirt Bikes | Speed and agility in rough terrain | Poor—easily targeted by drones |
| Mopeds | Vehicle shortages force improvisation | Very poor—slow and fragile |
| Motorcycles with Sidecars | Historical use in warfare | Outdated and unreliable |
| Electric Scooters | Silent movement in urban areas | Limited battery and low durability |
| Buggies | Fast movement in difficult terrain | No protection, only useful for raids |
| Horses | Useful in forests and mud | Reliable but not suited for combat |
| Donkeys | Carry supplies and ammunition | Slow and vulnerable |
Despite the absurdity of Russia’s methods, its reliance on mass numbers remains a serious threat. The Kremlin has shown that it is willing to send wave after wave of soldiers into battle, regardless of losses. While Ukraine has superior technology and strategy, Russia continues to push forward through sheer force of numbers. European nations must understand that Ukraine is not only defending its own land but also stopping an enemy that is willing to sacrifice endlessly to achieve its goals.
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