Thread by @ChrisO_wiki

1/ News that 'combat donkeys' are being issued to Russians on the front lines in Ukraine has baffled and enraged Russian warbloggers. "Are the Ural [trucks] on fire? They are on fire. Here's a donkey. A real, fucking, live, fucking donkey," says one.

https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1887285444842312182

2/ Warblogger Dmitry Steshin records a soldier friend's reaction to encountering Russia's latest military innovation for the first time:

3/ "Well, dude, please don't pester me with questions. I just heard it, then I saw it myself, I was shocked, and that's it, and I don't give a shit. Don't ask where it came from, why, who, for what, how. But the fact is, they gave us a donkey.

4/ "It's parked in the logistics platoon. They say, here's a donkey. You have shitty transportation, right? Shitty. Are the Urals on fire? They are on fire. Here's a donkey. Use it to carry ammo to the front. A fucking donkey. A donkey. A real, fucking, live fucking donkey.

5/ They gave it out, fuck. A fucking Ural convoy vehicle that went to receive supplies there, fuck, they issued a fucking donkey there."

Sheshin comments:

"There are two aspects to this development."

6/ "1. Practical. Anyone who has carried tons of cargo - from ammunition to gasoline - will understand. And will be glad to have a donkey.

7/ "2. Perplexed. Where, in the third year of the Special Military Operation, is the unified transporter of the front line, corresponding to the realities of war?

Summary: guys, paint the donkey in pixel [camouflage]. It can be in cartoons or 'moss'".

8/ 'Dead Heads' says that "it doesn't surprise us much. Machines suitable for work on the front line are obviously much more needed at checkpoints and demonstrations than on the front lines, where they can be lost. So here's some draft power for you.

9/ "An argument like 'expands logistics capabilities in places where wheeled transport is ineffective' is complete bullshit and an attempt to cover the asses of those responsible for this disgrace."

10/ 'Vault 8' remarks: "I personally am laughing at the fact that if our First Tractor Army destroys all its armoured vehicles, then it will be transformed into the First Cavalry Army.😁"

11/ 'The Longing of an Indian' queries how the notoriously cumbersome Russian military bureaucracy handles the issuing of 'combat donkeys':

12/ "I have a bad dream.

I want to see the act of acceptance of a combat donkey on the balance sheet, the record sheet of combat donkeys and the act of writing off a combat donkey in the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation."

13/ Roman Alekhine is somewhat despairing:

"[T]here is no form even in fantasies, where a donkey would fit in a modern battle, as well as no words to describe my emotions from what I saw and not fly into discreditation...

14/ "And here I am, going on about all sorts of technologies, management and the new army of the future. But in response – a donkey."

15/ 'Military Informant' points out some practical difficulties:

"The use of large animals on the front lines creates several new problems, including the need for regular feeding and specific veterinary care."

16/ 'Two Majors' wonders: "In connection with the donkey deliveries, a question arises. If he is kidnapped by an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group, will he be considered missing in action or a prisoner of war?

17/ And what if they give birth to donkeys? Are they regimental or state [owned]?"

'Southern Front' is more positive, pointing out that the donkeys do meet a practical transportation need where roads are impassable:

18/ "For some reason, this news was extremely negatively received, but in places where there is a wild muddy road and you have to drag all the crap for several kilometers on your own, this is a real solution.

19/ Yes, you can use high-cross-country robotic vehicles, agrodrones, s̶p̶a̶c̶e̶ ̶m̶a̶r̶i̶n̶e̶s̶ and much more, but we have what we have."

'Alex Carrier' comments:

"By the way, I didn't really understand why everyone was laughing and being angry."

20/ "Donkeys are a good thing in terms of load capacity and unpretentiousness, and you don't feel as sorry for them as you do for people. And you need someone to pull the supply line to the front line.

21/ "And it's better not to do it on people, because they get really tired of such an existence and often die under drones. And donkeys don't need diesel fuel, they are less picky about the road surface and cannot stall at the most critical moment."

22/ "In short, combat donkeys are such a cool wonder weapon, almost on the level of a king-barbecue [anti-drone protection] made of logs." /end

Sources:
🔹 t.me/DmitriySteshin…
🔹 t.me/Dead_heads/2809
🔹 t.me/dva_majors/638…
🔹 t.me/dva_majors/638…
🔹 t.me/vault8pro/52374
🔹 t.me/RuFront/16705
🔹 t.me/toska_indeica/…
🔹 t.me/AlexCarrier/10…
🔹 t.me/Alekhin_Telega…