A Ukrainian drone strike has destroyed a Russian cavalry unit in occupied Donetsk, according to footage released by Ukrainian forces.
The video shows Russian soldiers on horseback advancing toward Ukrainian defensive lines before dismounting and attempting to use their horses as cover. The drone then strikes, wiping out the unit.
A Ukrainian operator from the 132nd Battalion strikes a Russian cavalryman who clings to his horse in fear.https://t.co/TnUu97xLRA pic.twitter.com/xSigfttOFF
— Yigal Levin (@YigalLevin) October 4, 2025
Ukrainian forces said a drone operator from the 132nd Battalion was responsible for the strike.
“The horses, of course, are a pity… But, no matter how you look at it, it’s a combat unit,” a Ukrainian serviceman said after the attack.
Defence Blog notes that Russia has a long-standing practice of using animals in military operations. The Russian Navy has trained belugas and dolphins for sabotage and reconnaissance missions, while dogs have been fitted with explosives to attack armored vehicles.
Analysts told the news outlet that the recent use of mounted troops may have been intended to help forces move through difficult terrain or avoid detection by traditional surveillance systems.
