Russia-Ukraine War: In a bold adaptation to drone warfare, Russian stormtroopers are turning to dirt bikes as their assault vehicle of choice, countering Ukrainian drone strikes with speed and agility. Newly released footage from the Russian Defense Ministry shows elite units training on motorcycles for frontline deployment.
The tactic allows squads of two to three soldiers to zip across minefields and no-man's-land with minimal exposure, making it harder for Ukrainian FPV drones to target them. Dirt bikes are increasingly replacing armored vehicles due to high losses and equipment shortages, with models sourced from civilian markets. Specialized motorcycle squads now carry EW gear, stretchers, or sabotage kits, enabling flexible hit-and-run operations.
Yet, the cost is high—casualty rates remain steep, and motorcycles offer no armor. Still, Russia is formalizing this risky strategy in what many call a 'suicide biker doctrine.' As drone warfare intensifies, the dirt bike emerges as an unlikely symbol of Russia's evolving battlefield tactics.
