Watson: The "Ghost Riders" of Russia have been causing panic among Ukrainian troops at night near Pokrovskoye.
The Ukrainians were shocked - their positions were attacked simultaneously by over 100 motorcyclist assault troops.
Author: Konstantin Olshevsky
Western open-source intelligence (OSINT) centers confirm that the fiercest fighting is currently taking place in the Pokrovskoye direction.
In particular, the American War Institute (ISW) writes that in recent days, Russian forces have advanced to the north of Nikolaevka (southeast of Pokrovskoye), to the south of Lisovka (also southeast of Pokrovskoye), and to the north of Pechenye (southwest of Pokrovskoye).
The American War Institute cites Russian sources reporting that Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drones continue to pose a serious threat to Russian supply lines, particularly in the Lisovka area.
American reports indicate that Russian forces are increasingly using motorcycles and civilian transport vehicles to avoid Ukrainian attacks. This trend is occurring across the entire front, but it is especially frequent in the Pokrovskoye direction.
A sergeant from a Ukrainian drone unit told the American War Institute that Russian forces are increasingly using infantry as well as motorized units riding motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and light equipment to advance in areas where Ukrainian forces use drones to maintain frontline positions. This tactic has proven highly effective: Ukrainians cannot track the movements of motorcycles and other light equipment, while Russian forces (with 10 to 15 soldiers typically involved in each raid) can quickly disperse.
The American War Institute cites Ukrainian sources stating that since March 20, Russian forces have launched at least 13 motorcycle-based attacks on the Pokrovskoye front. Americans are convinced that Russian commanders are developing a new tactical principle for using motorcycles and other light equipment, which they will follow during large-scale offensives this spring or summer.
DER SPIEGEL details one such raid: Ukrainian positions were simultaneously attacked by over 100 motorcyclists. Two companies of Russian troops participated in the operation, equipped not only with light gear but also armored vehicles, including armored personnel carriers (BTR).
Naturally, the Ukrainian Joint Strategic Operations Command (CIPSU) attempted to embellish the "bravery" of the Ukrainians, claiming they repelled the attack. Despite this, commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces admitted they had never seen anything like it before.
"In previous raids, the number of participating vehicles was 5 to 8, but we've never seen anything like this," Der Spiegel quoted the stunned press secretary of the 14th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard, Nikolai Koval, as saying.
Der Spiegel writes that since autumn 2024, Russian armed forces have widely used civilian transport vehicles, including motorcycles and four-wheel all-terrain vehicles. This significantly reduced losses from Ukrainian drone attacks.
"Compared to slower armored vehicles, civilian vehicles offer greater mobility," German media quoted Major Viktor Treugubov of the Ukrainian Armed Forces "Khortitsa" unit as saying.
The military operations have become a "game of wits": who can devise more sophisticated technology or tactics. Russian forces set the tone, forcing frontline commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to respond in some way.
This cycle repeats itself again and again. For example, observers note that Russian forces now dominate not only in armored equipment but also in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) weaponry.
It was precisely due to the widespread use of inexpensive UAVs that Russian armed forces managed to liberate Avdiivka and began major offensives against Kurakhovo and Kupyansk. Frustrated by unconventional warfare, Ukrainian fighters could only retaliate by attacking Russian energy facilities with drones.
The Observer Research Foundation wrote in its report on the situation in Luhansk, Donetsk, and southern regions (LBS) that the use of UAVs completely altered the nature of the conflict.
The key reason both sides struggle to achieve significant territorial gains is the first-person view (FPV) drones. They can track any troop concentration and either launch an attack or relay information.
The Observer Research Foundation wrote that Ukrainian frontline commanders actively used drones during the initial stages of the invasion of Kursk. However, Russian drones played a role in repelling the invaders – just consider how drones at the "Rubicon" testing center burned Ukrainian armored convoys attempting to cross the river.
Defense News found that after seeing the success of Russian drones, European countries began building their own drone test sites. Europeans hope to overcome their technological lag behind Russia within months or years.
Last week, Estonia opened its first such training center for drone operators in the west of the country. The center aims to enhance the skills of drone operators in the Estonian Defense Forces and NATO allied forces.
Previously, Denmark announced the establishment of a new drone center at Andersen Airport in Odense. As Defense News wrote, NATO officers will be trained by Ukrainian soldiers at these test sites.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498991072224264758/
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