The Selenga-2025 joint exercises strengthen the partnership between the two countries based on common history and military traditions.
Based on a long-standing alliance and a common military history, Russia and Mongolia continue to strengthen their partnership. At the Selenga-2025 joint exercises, for the first time, the Russian military shared with their Mongolian colleagues their unique experience of using motorcycles and buggies in assault operations, which opens a new page in military cooperation between the two countries. Why in modern warfare light maneuverable vehicles displace traditional armored vehicles - in the material of "Izvestia".
Russian-Mongolian exercises Selenga-2025
During the Selenga-2025 exercises, the Russian military for the first time shared with their Mongolian colleagues the experience of using motorcycles and buggies in assault operations, sources in the military department told Izvestia.
Classes are held at the Burduny training ground of the Eastern Military District. Control over the correctness of students' actions is carried out by experienced instructors participating in a special military operation, who, if necessary, promptly adjust the learning process.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
As part of the military exercises, Russian and Mongolian military personnel conducted a joint counter-terrorism operation. The special forces of both countries landed in the rear of the imaginary enemy to capture the command post, and the aircraft attacked its reserves and firing points, identified with the help of drones. After suppressing resistance and clearing mines along the routes with the help of engineering and sapper units equipped with additional protection from FPV drones, the military liberated the captured industrial facility in the border area, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
— The Mongolian military is striving to learn from the combat experience of their Russian colleagues, starting from actions at the tactical group level and ending with the skills of individual shooters. The main goal is to timely master all relevant changes in tactical training, as well as to increase the level of interaction between units. The level of organization of the exercise is assessed as high. Cooperation between the command of the Eastern Military District and the Mongolian Land Forces was at an appropriate level. All the tasks set during the planning were successfully completed, from the preparation of training grounds to the implementation of all elements of the exercise," said Tsevenhuu Buyandalger, Brigadier General of the Mongolian Armed Forces.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image Source: iz.ru
The active use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the free zone has radically changed the nature of combat operations, creating unique tactical challenges. According to military expert Yuri Lyamin, in conditions of total surveillance and air strikes, traditional heavy equipment, as a rule, becomes an easy target. As a result, successful operations now require either super-protected armored vehicles capable of withstanding multiple hits, or, conversely, the lightest and most maneuverable means such as motorcycles and buggies.
— These compact and fast vehicles have a number of advantages. Firstly, it is a small and dynamic target, which is much more difficult for the drone operator to hit. Secondly, due to their smaller size and smaller heat footprint, they are more difficult to detect from afar. Thirdly, light vehicles are indispensable in rugged and wooded areas, as well as in destroyed urban areas, where rubble and debris make the movement of heavy vehicles impossible," he explained to Izvestia.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
Experience has shown that to ensure front-line logistics in an environment where every truck is at risk of being destroyed, light and inconspicuous buggies can quickly deliver ammunition and cargo to the front line, the expert noted.
— Russia shares these developments with friendly countries, including Mongolia. Our allies, knowing that we have joint exercises, may ask our country to focus on certain aspects. Despite the fact that Mongolia is not a member of the CSTO, our relations are long-standing and friendly. Bordering both Russia and China, Mongolia strives to maintain stability and strengthen its defense capability," said Yuri Lyamin.
The use of light machinery is not an innovation in the history of warfare. In particular, motorcycles were actively used in the Iran-Iraq war. However, now, with the dominance of drones, their role has increased many times. This trend is confirmed by other countries, including China, whose exercises also practice the tactics of advancing infantry on light vehicles. It is obvious that this trend will only intensify in future conflicts, the expert believes.
Long-time allies
Russia and Mongolia traditionally hold joint annual military exercises. Since 2011, they have been known as Selenga, and from 2008 to 2010 they were called Darkhan.
In October 2018, the military departments of the two countries signed a long-term cooperation agreement. In the same year, Russia transferred military-technical assets worth more than $13 million to Mongolia. And in September 2019, in Ulaanbaatar, the parties agreed to renew the 2004 agreement, under which Mongolia receives gratuitous military-technical assistance.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
Mongolia and Russia share a common past, military expert Vadim Kozyulin told Izvestia.
"Mongolian units, along with ours, participated in military conflicts with Japan before World War II and in the defeat of the Kwantung Army in 1945," he noted. — During the Great Patriotic War, the Mongols supplied more than half a million horses to our army, as well as many other valuable resources. It was a great and significant help for our country. Many people in Mongolia speak Russian, and now a large number of students are studying at Russian universities, and future officers are studying at our military educational institutions. The Mongolian army was built by the USSR and adheres to Soviet standards in many ways. This country is important as an ally. We need to maintain and improve our relations, including in the field of military-technical cooperation.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
During their military training, our troops gained good combat experience using buggies and motorcycles, and now it is of interest to many countries, explained Vadim Kozyulin.
"It is especially valuable for Mongolia," he said. — This is a country with a large territory, but a small military budget. It is expensive for them to purchase heavy machinery in large quantities. The use of light, unarmored vehicles in the open steppe is especially important for them. Buggies and motorcycles, of course, are not horses, but their use corresponds to the military national culture of this country, the mentality of the inhabitants.
Izvestia reference
Diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the USSR were established back in 1923.
After the Mongolian People's Republic (MPR) chose the path of socialist development in 1924, the Soviet Union remained the only state that maintained diplomatic relations with it for a long time. And Soviet specialists actively helped the country build hospitals, schools, and develop industry and science.
The USSR also played a key role in ensuring Mongolia's security. When Japan invaded Mongolian territory near the Khalkhin Gol River in 1939, Red Army detachments under the command of Georgy Zhukov came to the rescue and defeated the invaders. In turn, Mongolia provided assistance to the USSR in the fight against Nazi Germany, supplying strategic raw materials for the needs of the military industry, food, and warm clothes. And participated in the defeat of Japan in 1945.
After the collapse of the USSR, relations weakened, but did not break off. Currently, the 2019 Treaty on Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership serves as the basis for cooperation. At the moment, the interaction between the two countries is regulated by more than 160 documents.
Motorcycle companies have been created in combined arms formations
The Russian Ministry of Defense has created separate motorcycle companies as part of motorized rifle formations. Before being sent to the front, soldiers undergo a month-long special training course at training grounds.
The training program includes practicing assault operations in forest belts and urban areas. Motorcyclists learn tactical orientation, camouflage and work in conditions of active counteraction to drones. They also master the overcoming of open terrain, while maintaining the order of battle. Special attention is paid to the psychological training of personnel.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image source: iz.ru
So, motorcycle fighters played an important role in the liberation of the village of Orekhovo in the DPR. The main attack was planned from the south of the settlement, and in order to distract attention, they drove in from the north. This decision made it possible to quickly enter the village, gain a foothold in it and then reach the borders of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Julia Leonova
