The Washington DC based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its April 26 Russian offensive campaign assessment that Moscow’s troops are systematically preparing to use motorcycles in their war against Ukraine. It referred to a video posted by Russia’s Defense Ministry of two- or three-soldier teams from its 299th Regiment, part of Russia’s 98th Airborne Division, practicing offensive and defensive motorcycle tactics.
Despite Western commentators mocking Russia’s “Mad Max” tactics, using motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles with high casualty rates, it appears that Moscow deems them as the key to avoiding Ukraine’s increasingly successful first-person view (FPV) drone attacks – even though commentators suggest that the noise of the motorcycles prevents the riders from hearing the approach of Ukrainian drones.
It now seems that Kyiv has come to a similar conclusion regarding their utility on the battlefield. The military issues website Defence Blog, citing comments made by Ukraine’s Maj. Gen. Vladyslav Klochkov, noted the ability of motorcycles to help support operations on the battlefield.
Klochkov said: “Motorized vehicles, although not armored, are indispensable in the work of the infantry. They allow them to quickly get to their positions, deliver necessary equipment, or evacuate the wounded. It is not just transportation, but a means of responding quickly to the challenges posed by the war every day.”
Above all else, the war in Ukraine has underlined the need for maximum, cross-country mobility on the battlefield, particularly in this era of the ascendancy of the drone. The use of existing roads and tracks close to the front line is increasingly hazardous, but motorcycles and other light vehicles are able to take unexpected routes to link up with logistic and defensive positions.
Klochkov’s comments show that having learned from the mistakes of the enemy in using light vehicles for offensive action, Ukraine’s armed forces are realizing that the ability to rapidly move troops, deploy logistical assets and medical evacuation is becoming indispensable in supporting the defense of the front line and in which motorcycles will have a significant role to play.
The late spring and summer may prove to be a “test bed” for these differing approaches to the use of motorcycles and light vehicles on military operations.