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Ukraine has a new motorcycle attack unit that rushes gun-toting troops into battle on off-road bikes
Ukraine has a new motorcycle attack unit that rushes gun-toting troops into battle on off-road bikes
Ukraine's 425th separate assault regiment said its troops trained "hundreds of hours" to shoot small arms from atop speeding off-road bikes.
www.businessinsider.com
- It's Ukraine's turn to adopt an unusual battle tactic from Russia: motorcycle assaults.
- One unit has formed its first motorcycle attack company for storming Russian positions quickly.
- It said its troops have trained "hundreds of hours" to shoot assault rifles from off-road bikes.
The Ukrainian military's 425th separate assault regiment, nicknamed "Skala," announced on Tuesday that it had officially formed the country's first motorcycle attack company.
"As a result, we now have a modern 'cavalry' whose main task is to rapidly break through to enemy positions, conduct assault operations, and quickly shift the direction of attack," it said on its Telegram channel.
The use of motorcycles to carry troops into battle is well-documented in Ukraine. Since early last year, Russian troops have been increasingly seen riding on light vehicles such as ATVs and motorbikes as both a means of transport and a way to attack Ukrainian positions rapidly.
Their rise is largely viewed as a direct consequence of drone warfare, since armored vehicles are often vulnerable to exploding drones on Ukraine's flat terrain.
While motorbikes leave the rider more exposed, they're faster, nimbler, and smaller, which makes them better able to evade attacks from small drones.
"Russia's increased use of motorcycles is an adaptation in response to pervasive Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian armored vehicles and the unsustainable armored vehicle losses that Russian forces suffered in late 2023 and 2024," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in early May.
Ukraine's troops initially balked at the attack method, which the Russians used in suicide assaults to wear down Ukrainian defenses and munitions.
Commentary:
This is not necessarily new to warfare, in fact our special forces and Seals have used ATV's and motorbikes in afghanistan often.
What the Ukrainians are doing is adapting to battle situations.
Read more:
ATV | All Terrain Vehicle | Special Operations Vehicles
Info on the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), and its use by U.S. Special Operations Forces.
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Special Operations: Specialized Combat Support Vehicles
Soon after Russia invaded in early 2022, Ukraine formed small mobile units of troops using All-Terrain Vehicles/ATVs from a variety of manufacturers and usually armed with locally manufactured Anti-Tank Guided Missiles/ATGMs Some were armed with heavy m
www.strategypage.com
Although 4×4 quad bikes and ATVs serve some of the same purposes, motorcycles are still favored by some Delta, Rangers, SEAL, and Green Beret units because of their speed, mobility and stealth. The most commonly used bikes are the Kawasaki KLR 250-D8, Kawasaki M1030, and Christini all-wheel-drive bikes. Common modifications include infrared headlights, bracket to hold a weapon, infrared camo paint that conceals the vehicle from night-vision goggles at night as well from normal vision during the day, and run-quiet mufflers.
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVS):The four- and six-wheeled vehicles are mobile, small, and fast, and perfect for recon and insertion of troops. Although they do not offer ballistic protection, ATVs can easily be hidden, and they can maneuver in tight locations where trucks or other vehicles cannot penetrate. ATVs are typically fitted with run-quiet mufflers and infrared headlights. The Polaris MVRS800 has a multi-fuel engine with a sealed power train, allowing it to operate in as much as 30 inches of water.
