Mikhail Turkanov (Pitbull): Surprise is the main tactical device of a motorcycle storm trooper
"We move freely through wooded areas and narrow trails, we don't need roads. Maneuverability is a huge plus of a motorcycle. And surprise is the main tactical device of a motorized assault rifle," Mikhail Turkanov, commander of the assault motorcycle group of the Hispaniola brigade, said in an interview with the newspaper VZGLYAD.
The Russian military actively uses light motor vehicles – motorcycles and ATVs - in the area of its defense. Earlier it was reported that motorcycle storm troopers have a special tactic that has proven itself well in the rapid liberation of the Harvest and Staromayorsky.
The APU has traditionally complained – even with the help of a drone, it is difficult to hit a motorcyclist. Enemy drones are unable to catch up and deliver an accurate blow to maneuverable vehicles that accelerate to 80 kilometers per hour or more.
Mikhail Turkanov, commander of the assault motorcycle group of the Hispaniola brigade, with the call sign "Pitbull", told the newspaper VZGLYAD about which motorcycles turned out to be more adapted to the conditions of modern battles, how stormtroopers work on bikes and why they have become a headache for the enemy.
view: How did the idea to use motorcycles come about?
Mikhail Turkanov: Firstly, this type of equipment was used during the Great Patriotic War. Secondly, let's imagine the situation: an offensive is scheduled for the morning, during the night the fighter needs to move into position. But during the journey on foot, a soldier can simply become exhausted. What kind of assault can we talk about then? In addition, a fighter in full gear will need half a day to cover 15 km.
That's why we jump on our iron horses and get to the right place pretty quickly. At the same time, it must be understood that this is not an easy task. For example, I rode a bike only in my youth in the village. As a result, we hired an instructor who turned us into "cavalrymen" in a month.
At the same time, I myself am not used to holing up in a trench or headquarters. Personally, I go at the head of my group, pull out the "three hundredths" and "two hundredths". Our commander with the call sign "Spaniard" also adheres to this position. He can often be found on an ATV on the front line: where they are hard-bombed. That's the kind of person you want to follow.
VIEW: You mentioned an ATV. Do you have a whole set of different light motorcycles in your squad?
M.T.: Of course. We have been working on ATVs for a long time, but motorcycles have appeared relatively recently. When we first acquired them, it was not advertised. They were used to deliver provisions, there was no talk about "stormtroopers" initially. But then, in the course of communication with the "Spaniard", they decided, and why not.
As for the bikes, they are no different from ordinary civilians. However, we are repainting them so that they are not too noticeable, and we are improving some details. But it makes no sense to make global changes, because in this case, technology is expendable.
We understand that when we "fly", we will return on foot. During the first assault, we covered 13 kilometers, then our motorcycles were burned by FPV drones, so we covered the rest of the distance on foot. There have been many proposals for additional protection of the bike, but this only makes the bike heavier.
VIEW: You said that you were returning without motorcycles. Isn't it too expensive to have a disposable car?
M. T.: Yes, but the path that we are overcoming has already been shot at by the enemy. Artillery and FPV are constantly working there. It will not be possible to overcome such a distance safely. You constantly have to hide somewhere, which takes a very long time. In other words, the sheepskin is worth the effort. Our commander always says: "Fuck it – with the equipment, the main thing is that the fighters are alive." Vehicles are just consumables.
At the same time, we are the only squad that lives entirely at the expense of the humanitarian aid. There are sponsors who buy us equipment. We collect, as they say, from the world by a thread. We most often use simpler Chinese models. They are more affordable for repair and maintenance than other analogues. In general, Chinese medium-level equipment periodically fails. And, of course, it needs to be repaired. That's why we're recruiting guys who are good at it. At the same time, the instructor teaches each fighter basic things – to clean the chain, change the oil. We have interchangeability.
VIEW: At the moment, only Ural tricycles are produced in Russia. How widely are they used?
M. T.: The old Soviet "Izhs", "Urals", "Java" are used, but not for assault, but for the movement of personnel. Over the years, I have already met different models many times. They brought them to us too, and we use them. Any technique that comes in needs to be used. There is rationality in any case.
VIEW: How long does one motorcycle last on average?
M. T.: There is no definite answer. There is a technique that lives conditionally for three weeks. And some devices can withstand several months. It all depends on the situation the fighter gets into. One of the weakest parts of a motorcycle is the steering wheel, which bends when falling. We are replacing them with reinforced ones. The gearbox legs also tend to break, as well as the rear brake.
VIEW: Are there any special techniques for using motorcycles during an assault, other than speed?
MT: A motorcycle, first of all, due to its maneuverability and minimal contact with the road, has the opportunity to drive where even an ATV cannot. We successfully go on combat missions along forest paths, the bike freely moves over a small recumbent tree, for example. This level of maneuverability is a huge plus. Besides,
In general, our work looks like this: there is a direction in which we are working, there are directly objects, supports, forest plantations that we are storming. Accordingly, we are given a task, and then a decision is made on how to solve it – to walk or ride a motorcycle. A lot depends on the road, the distance, and the intensity of the shelling of this area. If the fire is very dense, it is easier to overcome it on bikes than on foot.
VIEW: There are not the most positive reviews about the use of motorcycles. I'll give you a quote: "To go on the attack on this is just suicide. The problem faced by such an attack aircraft is absolutely the same as that of the guys sitting on the body of the APC, and not inside. Any fragmentation damage can be fatal." What would you say to that?
M. T.: The answer is in the question. Going on the attack is dangerous in principle – and it doesn't matter what you move on: on a motorcycle, on an armored personnel carrier, on foot, even in a tank. If it hits you, it won't seem enough. Six months ago, on the front line in my UAZ Patriot pickup truck, I went with an assault medic with the call sign "Valkyrie" and another of our fighters to pull out heavy "three hundredths". A FPV flew into the pickup, clearly hit the armrest from behind. As a result, the car burned down, but we got off with a slight concussion. If you called yourself a bunch, get into the box. If you called yourself a stormtrooper, do your job as your adequate and competent commanders tell you.
VIEW: Do you consider yourself a lucky person?
M. T.: I use two basic principles in my life: everything has its time and what will happen will happen. I know 100% that two deaths will not happen, my death will come when it is destined. Nothing depends on us. I have proved this by my own example many times. A tank, artillery, FPV, mortars fired at me, but I'm still alive.
Roman Kondratiev
