After suffering significant losses of combat vehicles in the first two years of the war on Ukraine, Russia has resorted to desperate measures. The production of new vehicles and restoration of old ones from storage cannot keep up with the monthly loss of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers. As a result, more Russian troops have been seen entering battle on trucks, golf carts, and motorcycles in the early months of the third year of the conflict.
The increased use of unprotected or minimally protected vehicles on the Russian side does not necessarily mean they cannot win battles against Ukrainian forces. However, it does highlight a serious challenge for the Kremlin in replacing lost armored vehicles in a prolonged war that was initially anticipated to end quickly in Russian victory. Ukrainian analysis group Frontelligence Insight pointed out that Russia’s ability to replace lost armored vehicles is limited, emphasizing the strain on their resources.
While motorcycles have been utilized in warfare for over a century due to their speed and convenience, the current situation for Russian troops in 2024 is dire. With a shortage of purpose-built armored vehicles and larger civilian vehicles, they are resorting to sending troops on motorcycles directly into Ukrainian positions. This shift follows the recent use of roofless Desertcross 1000 all-terrain vehicles. Ukrainian war correspondent Yuriy Butusov highlighted this transition, noting that motorcycles are replacing golf carts as Russian forces adapt to their vehicle shortages.
Despite the tactical advantages of speed and maneuverability offered by motorcycles, the transition has come at a cost for Russian units. Recent confrontations with Ukrainian forces have resulted in losses for Russian motorcycle troops. The Ukrainian 92nd Assault Brigade successfully repelled an attack by Russian motorcycle troops near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, while the 79th Air Assault Brigade destroyed eight motorcycles during a Russian assault on Novomykhailivka. These losses have been publicly shared by Ukrainian brigades on social media, showcasing their victories over the Russian forces.
One noteworthy example cited by Frontelligence Insight is a Russian motorcycle with an improvised sidecar to transport multiple soldiers. This overburdened bike was abandoned during an assault on Bilohorivka, highlighting the challenges faced by Russian troops due to their dwindling vehicle resources. However, despite these setbacks, at least one Russian unit continues to advocate for motorcycles as assault vehicles, emphasizing their speed and stealth advantages over heavier armored vehicles.
In response to the threat posed by Ukraine’s drones targeting Russian motorcycle troops, some Russian units have upgraded their bikes with metal mesh to deter attacks. However, the Ukrainian 79th Air Assault Brigade remains unimpressed, jokingly stating that their attack drones have fined the Russian riders for speeding before the finish line in a recent confrontation. The ongoing use of motorcycles by Russian forces, as well as their efforts to enhance their war bikes, reflects the evolving nature of warfare in the region amidst a prolonged conflict.
