Ukrainian special operations forces have found significant success using electric scooters on the battlefield and have requested additional units from a Latvian manufacturer. These e-scooters, designed by Mosphera, have been used for stealthy reconnaissance and supply missions, proving so effective that the Ukrainian military has requested nearly 70 more.
Ukrainian SSO (Special Operations Forces) started using Mosphera off-road e-scooters to carry out operations pic.twitter.com/h3Rv4BkB1u
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) June 12, 2023
Mosphera’s e-scooters, billed as the “world’s first electric scooter for military purposes,” are robust and powerful enough to be considered “standing motorcycles.” Capable of reaching speeds over 60 miles per hour, these scooters operate silently and can traverse rough terrain. Their compact size allows them to be quickly concealed, making them ideal for low-profile reconnaissance, scouting, and logistical missions.
Latvia initially donated a handful of these camouflaged, ruggedized e-scooters to Ukrainian forces in early 2023. Following their successful deployment, two Ukrainian army units have requested more than two dozen additional scooters, and a charity has requested over 30 more on behalf of Ukrainian forces. According to Mosphera, Ukrainian soldiers have provided very positive feedback, praising the scooters’ effectiveness in combat tasks.
Mosphera CEO Klavs Asmanis has stated that the company is prepared to deliver more e-scooters to Ukraine. However, the request is currently awaiting approval from the Latvian government. The Latvian Ministry of Defence has not yet commented on the request.
The success of the e-scooters has not gone unnoticed by other military forces. Russia has also recognized the potential of electric scooters, with reports of a Russian commander requesting them for grenade launcher platoons and for placing anti-tank mines. The use of electric motorbikes for similar purposes has also been noted by other militaries, including the U.S.
Latvia has been a significant supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, providing military support equivalent to nearly 1% of its gross domestic product. This support has included unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, howitzers, weapons, personal equipment, ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and more.
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