Russian forces adopt electric scooters, testing new tactics
The Russian army is employing unconventional strategies to gain an advantage on the battlefield. One such strategy is attempting to attack Ukrainian positions using electric scooters. Can this mode of transport be effective in warfare?
The war in Ukraine, ongoing for nearly three years, is one of the most extensively documented conflicts in history. The abundance of materials provides people with insight into the realities of the battlefield, with some of these recordings revealing the unconventional solutions soldiers adopt. This time, the Russians have chosen electric scooters instead of tanks.
Russian assault on electric scooters
The Ukrainian "Azov" Brigade shared a video on YouTube depicting a Russian attack and the successful defence by Ukrainian forces. Notably, a segment shows a group of Russian soldiers using electric scooters. It is worth mentioning that this is not the first documented attack by Russians using scooters.
In the past, assaults have been observed on motorcycles or electric bicycles. The question arises: is such a strategy effective, and, above all, why are the Russians resorting to this method of transport?
Does an electric scooter make sense on the frontlines?
"In recent months, during massive attacks, the enemy has lost a significant number of armoured vehicles. Therefore, today the Russians are resorting to using cars, buggies, and even electric scooters extensively," reads the video description. Thus, this form of attack may be due to a lack of better transport options.
The Russian army uses off-road versions of electric scooters that allow movement over rough terrain. In the UK market, such equipment costs from approximately £410 to £2,045. The most common carrying capacity is about 150 kg.
The advantage of electric scooters on the front is their high mobility. Travelling at speeds of up to 60 km/h can provide an advantage on the battlefield. Additionally, they have a low acoustic signature since the electric motor is almost silent. Furthermore, the battery in an electric scooter can serve as a power bank.
However, an electric scooter does not offer any protection against gunfire. Also, when confronted with FPV drones, the scooter is at a disadvantage because the drones are generally faster than an electric scooter.
