The tactic draws on an ancient military strategy of using fast, mobile units to strike enemy flanks, said Major Viktor Trehubov, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Group of the Ukrainian forces.
“In ancient times, armies used horses or chariots for flank attacks,” Tregubov explained. “Today, motorcycles serve that role.”
Motorcycles allow Russian troops to quickly cross so-called “kill zones” — areas heavily surveilled and targeted by drones. Compared to armored vehicles, which can carry multiple soldiers, a drone strike on a motorcycle typically eliminates only one person, reducing the risk for attackers.
This approach aims to rapidly penetrate Ukrainian frontline defenses and secure a foothold on the second defensive line, Ukrainian officials said.
Fighting in the Toretsk area has intensified in recent weeks. On March 30, Ukrainian Deputy Commander Svyatoslav Lesyuk said Russian forces were attempting to flank the city. A day later, Trehubov reported Russian troops using underground routes to attack Ukrainian rear positions.
By mid-April, street fighting remained intense as Russian forces continued to press the city.
According to a report from DeepState on April 30, Russian attacks increased across the front following a cease-fire. The heaviest fighting occurred in the Pokrovsk, Kursk, Lyman, and Toretsk sectors.
The Institute for the Study of War reported on May 5 that Russian units had been redeployed from Kurakhove and Zaporizhzhya toward Toretsk, signaling the importance of the area to Russian commanders.
Ukrainian forces continue to repel attacks in the region.