**Latest use of animals on front line shows small satellite dishes, providing broadband access, strapped to horse saddles**
Russian military units have installed Starlink terminals on horses in an effort to increase internet coverage on the battlefield.
In the latest use of animals on the front line, footage shows the small satellite dishes, which provide broadband access, strapped on to horse saddles, giving troops reliable internet access in remote areas.
The technology, developed by Elon Musk, also gives Russian troops the chance to stream live footage from the front line, potentially allowing them to coordinate assaults and operate drones more effectively.
An increasing number of Russian units have been sending cavalry to the front line in eastern Ukraine in a desperate attempt to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Video posted by Ukraine’s 92nd Brigade last month showed drones hunting down Russian soldiers as they galloped through an open field.
“Russian occupiers lose so much equipment during their ‘meat-grinder’ assaults that they’re forced to move on horseback,” the 92nd Brigade wrote in a post accompanying the footage.
While the war has been defined by rapid technological advances, particularly surrounding drones, Moscow in particular has in some cases reverted back to old-school methods. In addition to using cavalry, troops have been sent into battle on motorcycles and dirt bikes.
The first horse-mounted casualty was reported by observers of the war in Ukraine in October. Around the same time, The Telegraph reported that the Storm unit of Russia’s 9th Brigade of the 51st Army had been preparing horse-mounted assault teams to operate in the Donetsk region.
Prior to this, there had been numerous reports of Russia utilising donkeys, horses and even camels to transport ammunition and other heavy equipment to the front line through muddy conditions not suitable for regular vehicles.
Semyon Pegov, a prominent Z-milblogger, said previously that training had been undertaken in the Donetsk region to ensure the animals were not spooked when faced with live gunfire and explosions on the battlefield.
“Horses see well at night, don’t need roads to accelerate on the final approach and their instincts can, reportedly, help them avoid mines,” the Kremlin-aligned blogger wrote on his WarGonzo Telegram account.
“I am sure we will soon witness the historic return of the Russian cavalry to the ranks. Let’s wish Khan and his modern ‘horde’ luck – with the expectation of some epic footage from the front.”
The use of cavalry has forced Ukraine to alter its tactics in some cases. One video shows how Ukrainian drone operators had worked hard to unseat the Russian troops before targeting them in an attempt to spare the horses.
In another case, Ukrainian troops were filmed rescuing a Bactrian camel that had been used by Russian soldiers during their offensive in eastern Ukraine.Bactrian camels, also known as Mongolian camels, are from central Asia and are adapted to survive in severe weather conditions and carry heavy loads. Another camel was photographed being ridden by a Russian soldier in February.
Poor horses. I’ll bet they don’t even identify as Russian.
TelevisionUnusual372 on
Golf carts and donkeys for 2026.
Flimsy_List8004 on
Neigh chance this is real.
LoneSnark on
I know what starlink terminals look like. Those ain’t it. Maybe starlink has become just what people call satellite internet now.
dallas470 on
If the horses get shot at, they could ruin the dish. You’d think that there would be a better way, but unfortunately for russia there is none. Any vehicle will get blown up. Horses aren’t worth the drones until they fly in close and see the dish.
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Article contents:
**Latest use of animals on front line shows small satellite dishes, providing broadband access, strapped to horse saddles**
Russian military units have installed Starlink terminals on horses in an effort to increase internet coverage on the battlefield.
In the latest use of animals on the front line, footage shows the small satellite dishes, which provide broadband access, strapped on to horse saddles, giving troops reliable internet access in remote areas.
The technology, developed by Elon Musk, also gives Russian troops the chance to stream live footage from the front line, potentially allowing them to coordinate assaults and operate drones more effectively.
An increasing number of Russian units have been sending cavalry to the front line in eastern Ukraine in a desperate attempt to gain an advantage on the battlefield.
Video posted by Ukraine’s 92nd Brigade last month showed drones hunting down Russian soldiers as they galloped through an open field.
“Russian occupiers lose so much equipment during their ‘meat-grinder’ assaults that they’re forced to move on horseback,” the 92nd Brigade wrote in a post accompanying the footage.
While the war has been defined by rapid technological advances, particularly surrounding drones, Moscow in particular has in some cases reverted back to old-school methods. In addition to using cavalry, troops have been sent into battle on motorcycles and dirt bikes.
The first horse-mounted casualty was reported by observers of the war in Ukraine in October. Around the same time, The Telegraph reported that the Storm unit of Russia’s 9th Brigade of the 51st Army had been preparing horse-mounted assault teams to operate in the Donetsk region.
Prior to this, there had been numerous reports of Russia utilising donkeys, horses and even camels to transport ammunition and other heavy equipment to the front line through muddy conditions not suitable for regular vehicles.
Semyon Pegov, a prominent Z-milblogger, said previously that training had been undertaken in the Donetsk region to ensure the animals were not spooked when faced with live gunfire and explosions on the battlefield.
“Horses see well at night, don’t need roads to accelerate on the final approach and their instincts can, reportedly, help them avoid mines,” the Kremlin-aligned blogger wrote on his WarGonzo Telegram account.
“I am sure we will soon witness the historic return of the Russian cavalry to the ranks. Let’s wish Khan and his modern ‘horde’ luck – with the expectation of some epic footage from the front.”
The use of cavalry has forced Ukraine to alter its tactics in some cases. One video shows how Ukrainian drone operators had worked hard to unseat the Russian troops before targeting them in an attempt to spare the horses.
In another case, Ukrainian troops were filmed rescuing a Bactrian camel that had been used by Russian soldiers during their offensive in eastern Ukraine.Bactrian camels, also known as Mongolian camels, are from central Asia and are adapted to survive in severe weather conditions and carry heavy loads. Another camel was photographed being ridden by a Russian soldier in February.
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Edit: https://archive.is/AyVpL to read without paywall (it has a video I can’t paste here).
Poor horses. I’ll bet they don’t even identify as Russian.
Golf carts and donkeys for 2026.
Neigh chance this is real.
I know what starlink terminals look like. Those ain’t it. Maybe starlink has become just what people call satellite internet now.
If the horses get shot at, they could ruin the dish. You’d think that there would be a better way, but unfortunately for russia there is none. Any vehicle will get blown up. Horses aren’t worth the drones until they fly in close and see the dish.