Difference between motorcycle company of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Russian motorcycle groups: Expert explanation

The first motorized infantry unit in the Ukrainian Armed Forces – the motorcycle company of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skala" – has different objectives and tasks compared to similar formations of the Russian army.

This was explained by Executive Director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation Dmytro Zhmailo, during a live broadcast of the telethon.

According to him, the Russian occupiers use motorcycles primarily due to the losses of armored vehicles inflicted by Ukrainian Defense Forces, particularly by unmanned systems. Instead of armored personnel carriers or BMPs, the invaders choose motorcycles for quick breakthroughs over short distances, hoping for minimal losses.

Russian soldiers attempt to bypass an 8-10 km zone on motorcycles, hoping that at least 10-20% of them will make it to Ukrainian positions, the expert explains.

Zhmailo also notes that with the onset of the season of dense vegetation, Russian forces are becoming more active in camouflage and are trying to penetrate deeper into Ukrainian positions, using cover.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces use motorcycles exclusively for mobility.

"The Ukrainians need to be as mobile as possible to get as close as possible to the enemy... to storm, secure, and continue their defensive actions. They are armed with shorter-barrel AK-74U rifles. This tactic is currently being fine-tuned in the Defense Forces," said Zhmailo.

Thus, the motorcycle units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have an offensive character, whereas Russian troops use motorcycles as a forced solution due to losses in equipment.