A strange blend of old and new "tech" has emerged in Russia’s war against Ukraine, as Russian troops have begun using horses to carry Starlink satellite internet terminals on the battlefield. The move adds a bizarre twist to Russia’s ongoing experimentation with mounted units in occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast.
Russian troops strap Starlink terminals to horses in Donetsk
Russian forces have been spotted using horses equipped with makeshift metal frames to carry Starlink internet terminals, according to Militarnyi. Photos and videos shared by X user Special Kherson Cat and Ukrainian Telegram channel KARYMAT show the Starlink dish mounted on welded pipe structures attached to a horse saddle. The terminal is aimed skyward, suggesting they are intended to provide on-the-move satellite connectivity.
"The purpose of this setup remains unknown. It is likely that Russian drone operators use this tactic to quickly change positions," Militarnyi noted.
A revival of cavalry tactics facing drone-rich reality
The use of horses in the Russian army was first observed in autumn 2025, when the commander of the Storm special operations unit of the 9th brigade, part of the 51st army, initiated mounted assault training. The brigade is stationed in occupied Donetsk oblast. The commander, known by the call sign Khan, argued that bringing back cavalry — disbanded in the Soviet army in 1955 — is not a return to the past but a tactical innovation.
Russian propagandist Semion Pegov claimed that horses offer several advantages. He stated the animals have good night vision, do not require roads for rapid final-stage advances, and allegedly can avoid mines thanks to their instincts.
In late December 2025, operators of FPV drones from the 5th Assault Battalion of the 92nd Assault Brigade neutralized two Russian soldiers who were traveling on horseback. Militarnyi reports that one of the soldiers was killed along with his horse by a direct drone strike. The second tried to escape but fell when his horse stumbled.
Later, another video surfaced showing a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian horseback soldier. The soldier fell off upon seeing the incoming drone. The horse fled the scene, and the drone returned for a second pass to strike the soldier on the ground.
