Bikes and buggies: Unconventional tactics in Ukrainian war

The war in Ukraine features astonishing scenes that seem more suited to action movies than reality. One such scene involves Russians on motorcycles attacking Ukrainian defensive positions, even attempting to use electric bicycles. We explore the reasons behind these actions and their effects.

It's not just Ukrainians facing shortages in military equipment; Russians also lack infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers needed to transport soldiers. They even use tanks that resemble barns as makeshift transports.

Another method used to reach their defensive positions or as close as possible to enemy fortifications is motorcycles. While this mode of movement might seem practical at first, it quickly becomes a suicidal mission.

This issue is also raised by "war correspondent" Andrey Filatov working for Russia Today. Apart from criticizing the Russian commander in that region, he advises the use of electric bicycles, which are quieter and less visible in thermal imaging.

Motorcycles, buggies, and electric bicycles are very useful modes of transportation across Ukrainian wilderness areas, which, during the spring and fall seasons, turn into literal swamps. The advantage is speed, making it difficult for artillery to hit the traveller. However, these modes of transportation do not provide any protection.

Moreover, a significant drawback of buggies or motorcycles with combustion engines is the noise they generate, which is audible from several kilometres away, and drones with thermal cameras easily pick up their high thermal signature.

For this reason, both Ukrainians and some Russians, including Filatov, use electric bicycles. These have sufficient range and speed while generating very low thermal and acoustic signatures.

Additionally, their batteries can serve as power banks, providing the ability to charge electronic equipment in the field, where access to electricity is a luxury.