Azov officer slams Russian troops for unconventional electric scooter attacks

Ukraine has been facing a challenging battlefield situation, particularly with the emergence of unconventional tactics employed by Russian assault troops. The notorious Azov unit, known for its neo-Nazi connections, has reported Russian soldiers using electric scooters to execute rapid attacks on Ukrainian trenches. This new approach complicates defense efforts for the Ukrainian forces, making it difficult to target groups of soldiers effectively. Reportedly, an officer within the Azov unit, Lt. Col. Dmitry Pavlenko-Krizheshevsky, highlighted that while attacking a larger group on a single vehicle may have been manageable, small groups dispersed on electric scooters create a complex problem. The tactical shift has come in response to Ukrainian forces employing first-person-view (FPV) suicide drones to hit armored vehicles that transport Russian troops. To counter this strategy, Russian troops have adopted the use of motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, and all-terrain vehicles. Azov's intelligence chief described the situation where company-strength assaults, involving between 150 and 200 soldiers, have become common for Russian forces, aided by their significant reserves. Amid ongoing battles, the Azov unit's background reveals a long history of nationalist motives and alleged war crimes. Originally formed in 2014, the group has often drawn criticism due to its alignment with far-right ideologies, symbolized by the use of the Wolfsangel rune. Despite the original Azov Battalion being defeated during the intense battles in Mariupol in 2022, the unit has found a resurgence with the formation of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, led by its co-founder Andrey Biletsky in 2023. This ongoing evolution in the conflict underscores the severe situation on the front lines. Ukrainian officers have expressed concerns about the stability of the front lines, with some indicating that Russian forces are still advancing. A major, referred to as Taras, mentioned that no signs of stabilization are in sight. This development is compounded by internal issues within Ukraine, where troop shortages have become critical due to mass desertions. Reports indicate that around 1,700 soldiers from a brigade trained in France deserted without engaging in battle, pointing to the difficulties faced by Ukraine in maintaining adequate military personnel. Given these challenges, there is a possibility that Ukrainian authorities might lower the draft age to 18 to address the shortage of troops amid increasing pressure from internal and external situations.