Russian forces have begun deploying cavalry units in assault operations against Ukrainian positions, reviving tactics long thought obsolete and raising outrage over the use of animals in combat.
Ukrainian troops say at least one such unit has already been engaged and destroyed by a drone strike during a recent offensive.
According to footage released by Ukrainian forces, a Russian cavalry detachment was targeted as it attempted to storm defensive positions. During the attack, the mounted troops dismounted and tried to use their horses as cover — a tactic that failed under aerial surveillance and precision strikes from Ukrainian drones.
“The horses, of course, are a pity… But, no matter how you look at it, it’s a combat unit. Sad — yes. But the work is being done — to reduce human casualties,” Ukrainian servicemen said after the strike.
The use of cavalry units underscores the evolving — and often desperate — nature of Russia’s offensive operations. Analysts say the decision to field mounted troops likely reflects attempts to exploit mobility in difficult terrain or to avoid detection by conventional sensors. Yet it also exposes Moscow’s willingness to sacrifice animals for tactical gain.
Moscow’s forces have a long record of weaponizing animals for military purposes. The Russian Navy, for example, maintains specialized units of belugas and dolphins trained for sabotage missions, including planting explosives on enemy vessels. On land, dogs have been used to deliver explosives to armored vehicles — often detonating with the animals still attached.
The latest use of horses on the battlefield fits into that history. Ukrainian officials argue that such practices reflect a disregard for both ethical norms and the laws of armed conflict.