The Russian military has begun deploying donkeys and horses for frontline logistics, as footage circulating on social media confirms their use in cargo transport.
The trend, increasingly visible in Russian sources, has sparked speculation regarding its implications for the state of the Russian army’s logistics, with some suggesting it reflects a shortage of transport and armoured vehicles. However, the situation appears more complex.
A Return to Pack Transport
While the sight of Russian troops using donkeys has drawn attention, pack transport is not entirely new to the Russian military. According to open-source data, at least two units had officially integrated pack animals into their logistics before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022:
- The 55th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army (Central Military District) has used Mongolian horses.
- The 34th Separate Motorized Rifle Mountain Brigade (Southern Military District) employs Karachay horses, bred for transport in mountainous terrain.
Both units had already incorporated these animals into military exercises, with Russian propagandists even claiming that the Ryazan Airborne Troops School maintains its own fleet of horses for combat training.
Logistical Constraints and Tactical Necessity
Despite these prior practices, the increased reliance on pack animals across different units suggests a shift driven by battlefield conditions. Reports indicate that Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have made movement across frontline areas increasingly dangerous, creating a “grey zone” several kilometres deep where traditional transport is highly vulnerable to strikes. This has forced Russian forces to adapt by relying on personnel—and now animals—to move supplies.
In this context, the use of donkeys and horses may be a pragmatic, if unconventional, response to logistical difficulties. However, the long-term viability of such methods remains questionable. Pack animals require constant care, proper shelter, and adequate nutrition, which could strain already stretched supply lines.
Signs of Equipment Shortages
The adoption of donkeys and horses comes amid broader indications of Russian forces struggling with logistics and equipment losses. The widespread destruction of armoured vehicles and transport trucks by Ukrainian strikes has led to improvised solutions, including a return to older assault tactics such as the use of motorcycles and quad bikes for rapid assaults.
While Russia continues to receive military supplies from external sources, including drones and artillery from Iran and North Korea, the shift to animal transport on the frontlines underscores the strain on its ground operations. The reliance on donkeys—animals generally ill-suited to prolonged operations in humid or extreme conditions—suggests that Russian forces are facing significant difficulties in maintaining mechanised supply chains.
A Tactical Adjustment or a Symbol of Decline?
While horses have historically been used in military operations, their deployment in modern warfare is rare outside specialised mountain units. The increasing visibility of such measures raises questions about the effectiveness of Russia’s logistical infrastructure.
Given the scale of modern warfare in Ukraine, a reliance on pack transport, while functional in some scenarios, may ultimately serve as a further indication of the challenges facing Russian forces. Whether this reflects a temporary adaptation to conditions or a deeper systemic issue remains to be seen, but it highlights the growing difficulties Russia faces in sustaining its war effort.
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