Occasionally, Motorcycle Attacks Coordinated by Russia Produce Desired Results
In a daring bid, Russia's military is employing motorcycle assault tactics to nudge the front line in eastern Ukraine westward, with occasional successes that help move the line a mile or so. The primary target here seems to be the fortress city of Pokrovsk, capturing which would be a significant obstacle to broader Russian advances in Donetsk Oblast.
Two Russian field armies, each numbering over 10,000 troops, have spent most of the past year marching towards Pokrovsk from Avdiivka, but they hit a roadblock just a few miles away. Ukrainian resistance stiffened, and drones began constricting their supply lines.
As a result, the Russians have decided to encircle Pokrovsk instead of attacking it head-on. Recently, Russian assault groups have taken up positions along a line of Ukrainian trenches that run parallel to the T-0504 highway connecting Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka. But crossing this trenchline is crucial if the Russians are to establish a position to encircle Pokrovsk.
The Russians have made some progress, albeit at a great cost. A majority of their forces are motorcycle troops, who are probing the Ukrainian defenses with small reconnaissance groups. However, these groups have encountered stiff resistance from the Ukrainian 14th National Guard Brigade, 38th Marine Brigade, and 117th Heavy Mechanized Brigade. A larger assault on April 17 resulted in the loss of 21 armored vehicles and up to 240 troops for the Russians.
A recent breakthrough came when one Russian unit, the 39th Motor Rifle Brigade, found a weak point in the Ukrainian line - a stretch of exposed trenchline outside the village of Malynivka, devoid of any tree cover. The Russians used drones to eliminate some of the Ukrainian armored vehicles ferrying troops to the trench, and managed to capture a section of it over the weekend. A Ukrainian counterattack was ineffective due to the intervention of drones.
Now, the Russians find themselves within striking distance of Pokrovsk, ready to exploit this foothold. If they can surge more forces into this position, they may succeed in gaining more ground and exert pressure on Pokrovsk's eastern flank.
However, these motorcycle attacks are risky maneuvers, with the majority ending in failure, often resulting in the majority of troops and bikes being lost. The follow-up attacks by exposed armored vehicles are also costly. Moreover, civilian bikes, cars, vans, and trucks now make up 90% of Russian vehicle losses, not to mention the loss of dozens of tanks and fighting vehicles weekly. Daily troop casualties hover around 1,000, almost equivalent to the number of troops the Kremlin recruits daily. Even a small increase in personnel losses could tip the Russian armed forces into a manpower deficit.
Russia is systematically preparing motorcycle units for summer/fall 2025 offensives. Training focuses on small-group tactics (2-3 riders) to improve mobility and minimize exposure to drone strikes. The 299th VDV Regiment (98th Airborne Division) has been observed practicing combined assault maneuvers using motorcycles at Russian training grounds. Despite the high casualty rates, motorcycles offer speed, making them useful for crossing contested areas, although their noisy nature prevents riders from hearing approaching drones. Russian forces have already employed motorcycles in assaults near Bakhmut, among other frontline areas, with mixed results.
- The Russian military, in an attempt to progress in eastern Ukraine, is employing motorcycle assault tactics towards the fortress city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast.
- The city of Pokrovsk, located in Ukraine, has been the primary target for two Russian field armies, each numbering over 10,000 troops, who have been advancing from Avdiivka but have faced resistance very close to the city.
- In an attempt to encircle Pokrovsk instead of attacking it head-on, Russian assault groups have taken up positions along a line of Ukrainian trenches north of the T-0504 highway connecting Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka.
- The 39th Motor Rifle Brigade, a Russian unit, made a recent breakthrough by finding a weak point in the Ukrainian line, a section of exposed trenchline outside the village of Malynivka.
- If successful in gaining more ground, the Russians could exert pressure on Pokrovsk's eastern flank, but these motorcycle attacks are risky maneuvers that often end in significant losses for troops and bikes.
- Russia is currently preparing motorcycle units for potential offensives in the summer and fall of 2025, with training focusing on small-group tactics to improve mobility and minimize exposure to drone strikes.
- Reports indicate that the 299th VDV Regiment (98th Airborne Division) of the Russian forces has been practicing combined assault maneuvers using motorcycles at Russian training grounds, with mixed results already seen near Bakhmut and other frontline areas.
