.jpg "Ukraine-Russia war: The Dnieper Group of Russian Marines was seen in the viral video using speedboats and dirtbikes in a training session for the summer offensive against Ukraine")
Russian Marines were seen loading dirtbikes on speedboats in what is believed to be training sessions ahead of the summer offensive against Ukraine. It was the 61st Marine Brigade, often known as the Dnieper Group, that was seen carrying motorbikes on their lightweight boats to be deployed on the muddy shores of the riverbanks.
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The viral video, released on Telegram by popular pro-Kremlin journalist Aleksandr Sladkov, showed, Russian Marines flying over the dirt track, kicking up a storm of dust behind them. The propaganda video also showed their comrades using smoke grenades to give them cover ahead of their launch from speed boats.
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According to Sladkov, Russia may use this landing method on the Black Sea coast and the banks of the Dnieper River. "The training is being conducted by the 61st Marine Brigade (Dnieper group). Perhaps this is one of the options for activating the front in the coming spring, or in the summer campaign," he said.
Ukraine's defenders have stood their ground on the banks of Dnieper, using drones to their advantage. Russia failed to make any significant advancements and suffered heavy casualties due to the effective use of drones by the enemy troops. The Russian Marines hoped the armed dirtbike riders could charge through and take down enemy defence posts before infantry units could push through the enemy lines on foot. The speedy charge on two-wheelers could be difficult for riflemen, drone units or even machine gunners, they hope. Once they have taken out vital enemy posts, it would be less riskier for the land advancement.
However, Kyiv-based media reports pointed out that it remains highly unlikely that dirtbikes can give Russia an advantage on sea coasts and river banks. They were tried earlier too but most riders were sent to their graves as they were picked out easily by automated weapons and drones.
Unless substantial cover fire is not provided, the bikes are easy targets for defenders, the media reports said. With no more than six men remaining on each speedboat, it is questionable how much cover could be provided to the bikers by their compatriots, who also have to think about staying safe for the time being.
In January, a considerable number of Russian soldiers were taken out while trying to break Ukrainian lines on dirtbikes in the eastern Donetsk region, Kyiv Post said. Also, not all river banks and seashores can support assault on bikes, limiting the scope of manoeuvrability to certain areas.
Russian Marines on dirtbikes being dropped by speedboats | X
One of Europe's longest rivers, the Dnieper River flows through Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine before reaching the Black Sea.
Russia's drills for the summer offensive are not good news for the US-brokered ceasefire talks that are expected to bring a halt to the fighting in the region.
