this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2025
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[–] [email protected] 90 points 1 day ago (5 children)

No exaggeration, Russia is issuing donkeys and mules (yes actual pack animals) to soldiers for transporting supplies because vehicles are in short supply.

[–] [email protected] 39 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well, mules don't require fuel, and they also work as field rations in a pinch.

Otoh, they need a steady supply of mules. I don't think there are that many nowadays. Although who knows with Russia.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Mules absolutely do require fuel; they’ll only be useful for a few days without food.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Any type of grass or non poisonous vegetation works.

In difficult terrain animals can still be the best choice for transport. Dont know if that applies here, but i know from Germanys invasion of Ukraine in WW2 that the mud in Spring and Autumn is terrible to traverse with mechanized units.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours ago

Any type of grass or non poisonous vegetation works.

Not so easy during winter.

You can't just leave them grazing wherever. Mines and artillery kill them just as well.

Some fodder will need to be brought in for them.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 day ago

Additionally, they require a lot of rest and need to be rotated out more frequently than humans. Nazi Germany was very dependent on draft animals on WWII and the logistics were nuts.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I wouldn't want to be on drone duty when you have to take out a donkey 😔

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 day ago (2 children)

We had a convesation about this in the Ukraine Lemmy Community. Our suggestion was to arm a drone with a carrot, and lead the donkey (carrying all the supplies) out of the orc camp after all the orcs have been liquidated. Ukraine gets supplies, Donkey gets safety, orcs are pink mist. Everyone wins! There's zero downside.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 17 hours ago

Very doubtful that it would work, but out of all the weird, crazy, and creative stories generated from World War 2, I wouldn't put it totally outside of any plausibility.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm sorry but it's far more important to make sure the Russians don't get that ammo resupply. Combat sucks.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

They won't get the resupply because the donkey is chasing the carrot. Didn't you read the post?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 15 hours ago

Possibly. If everything goes right. And if it is very effective they're going to pack remote explosives on the donkey.

Are you going to be the one checking it?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Today on: What Fucking Century Are We In?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago) (1 children)

Mules are used in many militaries by the mountain troops. Only they can navigate small trails high up and transport cargo.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago

Huh, that's interesting. Probably makes sense in a mountainous environment, wouldn't want to drive a jeep there. And from what I know, aren't mules generally pretty good at avoiding dangers? Like if there's a cliff, the mule will just go "nope, I'm not going there".

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Relevant

I think I got banned for the shit post :(