The situation at war is evolving. Forget tanks. Forget trenches. Ukraine now relies on motorcycles as its next defense against Russia. It’s fast. It’s fearless. It’s the Skala Regiment.
At the forefront of Ukraine’s battlefield innovation is the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala”, founded by Yuriy Harkaviy, known as “Skala” or Cliff. Created in 2022 by untrained volunteers with little practical equipment, the unit soon earned respect for fighting with drones and sudden ambush attacks.
Harkaviy led Skala so that its people could handle and confuse larger Russian groups in various ways. Around 2025, the unit was fully formed as a regiment and was equipped with both tanks and artillery, with the motorcycle assault company being its most notable force.
These days, Skala represents Ukraine’s approach to fighting modern battles using mobile devices.
What’s The Big Deal About Motorcycles In Combat?
Although motorcycles have played a part in past battles, their integration into Ukraine’s Skala Regiment is a significant transformative step for how combat is handled. Typically, motorcycles were used to transport goods and people, and to scout.
Fighting was not seen as a primary role, but rather as a means to increase speed. In May 2025, the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala” fully pursued this concept by starting Ukraine’s first-ever motorcycle assault unit. This decision had been made before any shortages occurred, with the primary goal of exploiting the weaknesses of frontline positions.
The new company was thoroughly trained in driving quickly, collaborative riding, and handling weapons during movement, allowing teams of two (with an operator and a gunner) to quickly navigate obstacles, evade drones, and set up surprise attacks deep within enemy territory.
Only 48 hours after its creation, the company made a brave strike into the Kursk region of Russia, quickly disrupted enemy supplies, and returned without anyone from Ukraine being hurt.
This success was real, demonstrating that motorcycle-attacking units are a low-cost force with a significant impact. It showed that battlefield mobility now included speed, surprise, and hundreds of attackers to overcome the most organized and mechanized opponents.
Here’s the Process
At the heart of the Skala Regiment’s motorcycle assault system is an easy-looking setup: each bike has two people, a driver and a gunner, all equipped, synchronized, and able to operate as a team. While the gunner stays on the rear of the bike, the driver handles the ride, avoids being seen, and picks a spot to make the greatest impact.
They rely on the AKS-74U, a compact and easily handled weapon designed for use in close quarters. Every squad is also equipped with grenades and can call in drones to provide them with real-time knowledge or aiming assistance.
The reason these units are unique is their intensive and detailed training program. Soldiers train for hundreds of hours driving off-road and at the same time practicing shooting. They learn how to drive through high-altitude areas, pass destroyed buildings, and steer clear of mines, all while performing group actions that overwhelm the enemy’s location through speed, changing moves, and having so many motorcycles.
Rangers have many different tasks: high-speed attacks in the enemy’s rear, patrols to scout enemy areas, and fast hit-and-run strikes against vulnerable targets. The teams also handle other tasks, for example, by delivering ammunition in emergencies, transporting wounded soldiers to safety, and fitting equipment to block Russian drones.
All movements are planned and practiced before the show. This is not an ad hoc action — it’s carefully planned for the battlefield, where outcomes rely on being fast, precise, and flexible.
Why Motorcycles? Tactical Reasons Behind The Shift
Rather than choosing motorcycles only as a last resort, Ukraine’s Skala Regiment shifted to them because they are the best choice in today’s warfare, with many drones and surveillance.
Because they can reach up to three times the speed of infantry, motorcycles make it possible for troops to sneak around for attacks, perform surprise strikes, and escape from danger. The small signature they emit hides them from drones and sensors very well, unlike tanks and IFVs, which don’t go unnoticed.
They also save a lot of money; their cost is from $5,000–10,000, much less than the $1 – 10 million price for a tank, and they don’t need much fuel or maintenance. Because they are flexible, motorcycles can move through areas where large and clumsy vehicles cannot safely drive, such as broken cities and narrow or burnt-out forest paths.
Such sudden, rapid attacks confuse and confound the other side in their minds. Motorcycles aid Ukraine by providing quick, stealthy, and cost-effective transportation, which plays a crucial role in battlefield victories.
What Sets Its Motorcycles Apart From Russia’s Models
Although both Russia and Ukraine now utilize motorcycles in the conflict, the roles, training, and actions of their forces reveal two distinct approaches to warfare. Because Ukrainian drones were destroying Russia’s heavier vehicles, motorcycles were used as an urgent solution across the front lines.
External pressure made it difficult for Russian fighters to keep moving, so they began using motorbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), often charging straight into intense danger.
Still, these operations have faced issues with inconsistent practice, poor team coordination, and little use of technology. According to reports, many Russian motorcycle brigades in Avdiivka and Donetsk are being hit hard by enemy fire during disorganized attacks without much help or guidance.
Unlike Russia, Ukraine’s way of fighting, based on the Skala Regiment, reflects strategy, not just emergency circumstances. They built their motorcycle assault company to be a key component of a combat strategy that emphasizes speed, stealth, and the integration of different technologies. Every two-man unit spends time learning to ride, shoot while driving, deal with rugged terrain, and cooperate in team attacks.
While in Russia, each motorcycle company operates independently, these Ukrainian groups are fully embedded into the country’s digital battle network. Support for their work comes from up-to-date drone footage, secure conversations, and the movement of artillery due to feedback from digital devices.
Their regular methods involve conducting raids, conducting deep reconnaissance, and disrupting targets, all with fewer casualties and superior results compared to Russia’s strategies.
Essentially, Russia’s use of motorcycles is primarily due to the loss of other equipment and logistical problems, often in hazardous conditions that yield little actual impact. The Skala Regiment, stationed in Ukraine, is leading the way in modern warfare by utilizing motorcycles to precise effect as part of a strategy that also integrates mobility, strategic thinking, and a tough approach.
What’s Next: Looking Forward
The motorcycle assault team from the Skala Regiment is helping form Ukraine’s new approach to warfare.
The results are being applied to other groups and units preparing in Zaporizhzhya, Donetsk, and elsewhere in the Black Sea front. The military will integrate these units with FPV drones, advanced electronic warfare capabilities, and squads equipped with night vision to build skilled strike teams that operate quickly.
In addition, the upcoming models will incorporate AI for mapping routes, feature thermal camouflage, utilize quiet engines, and have stronger suspensions, making them both swift and well-equipped for success in locations with numerous drones.
By: Guest Author: Poonam Gupta
