Electric scooters on the frontlines: Russians' surprising tactic

The war in Ukraine features unexpected scenes that seem more like action movies than reality. One such instance is the use of electric scooters for transportation by Russians in front-line areas. We explore the reasons behind this choice and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.

Three years ago, many regarded the Russian army as the second most powerful in the world. However, it now resembles a force from a Third World country, struggling to provide transportation for its soldiers. It resorts to whatever means it can organize independently. Ukrainians employ similar methods, but they were never seen as a regional power on the international stage to begin with.

In a bid to enhance their survival prospects, Russians use not only electric motorcycles and bikes but even scooters. Below, you can view footage of Russian soldiers retreating from a defensive position on their purchased electric scooters. These scooters reportedly allow a journey of up to 22 miles on paved roads.

Russians are utilizing off-road variants of scooters, as these are the only models capable of handling damaged roads. They usually offer a carrying capacity of up to 330 lbs. However, a capacity of 440 lbs would be preferable for a soldier carrying weapons and gear, which is less common.

The range is highly dependent on the battery and electric motor, with some models boasting a power of 1000W and a battery capacity of 17.5Ah, while others offer 10000W and 40Ah. Moreover, these batteries can double as power banks, allowing users to charge electronic equipment in the field, where access to electricity is a luxury.

This mode of transportation benefits from its ability to move quickly at speeds of up to 37 mph while maintaining a low acoustic signature. The electric motor is nearly silent compared to a combustion engine motorcycle.

However, it's important to note that if detected by the enemy and attacked by FPV drones, the chance of survival is minimal. Drones are faster than any scooter or dirt bike, as demonstrated multiple times by footage of FPV drones successfully hitting fleeing targets.