Recent viral footage shows Russian soldiers in Ukraine using a Starlink satellite terminal and video camera mounted on a horse’s saddle to enable real-time video transmission while riding. This unusual combination of advanced technology with traditional cavalry tactics highlights Russia’s improvisation on the battlefield amid equipment losses. The video, shared by a user claiming to be from occupied Kherson, sparked online debate about Russia’s military capabilities and the contrast between modern communication tools and reliance on animals for reconnaissance.

The use of horses and even donkeys by Russian forces is part of a broader trend linked to heavy losses of armored vehicles, forcing a “demechanization” of units and increased vulnerability to Ukrainian artillery and drones. Reports and footage have documented Russian cavalry being targeted by Ukrainian forces, while some Russian officials have defended the use of animals for transport and logistics as normal. These developments underscore the challenges faced by Russian troops and the unconventional adaptations emerging in the ongoing conflict.