Russian marines from Moscow’s troops are testing landing operations using motorcycles, as seen in a recent Russian propaganda video.
The latest offensive tactic being tested by the Russian army involves two off-road motorcycles descending from the ramp of a motorboat, after which several infantrymen are deployed to secure coastal positions, reports Kyiv Post.
A video posted by Russian war propagandist Aleksandr Sladkov shows a military exercise in which a motorboat brings several Russian soldiers to the shore. The soldiers set up the descent ramp, and two soldiers mount off-road motorcycles and disembark at speed.
Their role is to quickly check the area, after which other boats bring in infantrymen to secure the perimeter.
Sladkov believes that this tactic "could be one of the options for activating the front in the coming spring or summer campaign."
"Russian marines are preparing to land on the coast of the Black Sea and on the high enemy bank of the Dnieper River. The training is conducted by Marine Brigade 61 (Nipru group)," Sladkov mentioned on Telegram.
This tactic is suitable only for landing in shallow water areas and on a smooth shore.
The Military portal speculates that motorcycles allow for faster advancement to positions while troops are under enemy fire, especially under attack from Ukrainian FPV (first-person view) drones. The speed and maneuverability of motorcycles can help Russian troops "adopt more strategically favorable defensive positions located further from the shore."
Russian troops have already introduced motorcycles into their attacks in Ukraine.
In January, a video released by the 5th Separate Assault Brigade of Ukraine shows Ukrainian drones flying directly towards Russian troops attempting to break through Ukrainian defenses with off-road motorcycles near Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The motorcycles were hit one by one.
In April 2024, Russian troops were seen advancing on motorcycles and off-road vehicles made in China. However, without proper suppression fire support, soldiers conducting such attacks are often sent to certain death, as observed in a July 2024 analysis of Russian attacks near Vuhledar. An ambush set up by Ukrainians on a road to Pokrovsk demonstrated how exposed motorcycle soldiers can be.
The Ukrainian army has noted that Russians are improvising modifications to motorcycles to increase their chances of survival when attacked by drones. In July 2024, a few Russian soldiers were seen equipping their motorcycles with Russian training mines UDSh as improvised smoke containers to be harder to spot. Once activated, the mines release smoke for eight to ten minutes, writes Kyiv Post.
Additionally, Russian troops have been seen outfitting their light vehicles – including motorcycles – with anti-drone "protection cages" during attacks on Kharkiv and Avdiivka in mid-2024, but the effectiveness of this improvisation remains questionable.
T.D.