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Russia Goes to 2026 Reportedly Mounting Satellite Internet on Cavalry
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Russian forces appear to have begun equipping horse-mounted units with Starlink satellite terminals and cameras, according to new images and videos circulated by multiple OSINT investigators, including Special Kherson Cat on January 8.
The footage shows Russian soldiers riding horses fitted with improvised frames carrying flat-panel satellite terminals and what appear to be camera systems.
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While the exact purpose of the equipment has not been officially confirmed, analysts say the setup is consistent with communications or situational-awareness use rather than combat firing platforms.
The images add to a growing body of evidence that Russian frontline units—particularly in contested or infrastructure-poor areas—are increasingly relying on animals as substitutes for destroyed or unavailable military vehicles.
It’s 2026, still no Armata, but cutting edge warfare brought a horse with Starlink instead https://t.co/pMjx6HnZtb pic.twitter.com/fN4PyGlWqP
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) January 8, 2026
Earlier footage published by OSINT outlet Exilenova+ showed Russian troops attempting to advance toward Ukrainian defensive positions using a horse for transport. In that incident, the movement was detected from above and neutralized by a Ukrainian drone strike before the assault reached its objective.
While the use of horses initially appeared anomalous, subsequent reporting suggests it reflects broader adaptations driven by equipment losses and logistical strain.
Earlier, Russian forces operating in parts of the occupied Donetsk region began training horse-mounted assault teams as early as September 2025. The initiative was reportedly linked to a commander of a Storm special unit within the 9th Brigade of the 51st Army, known by the callsign “Khan.”
Russian military bloggers have described the shift as a form of low-tech mobility suited to terrain where armored vehicles are vulnerable to drones, artillery, or precision strikes.
Animals, they claim, can move quietly, require no fuel, and are harder to detect than mechanized platforms—though they remain highly exposed to aerial surveillance.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
