Russia’s Kalashnikov’s New Battlefield Tool Isn’t a Rifle. Its a Scooter

Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern has delivered a batch of newly developed electric transport vehicles to a military unit for use in combat areas, according to an announcement cited by Defence Blog on January 26.

The shipment included Izh-Enduro electric motorcycles and Izh-ScootWay electric scooters, both produced in-house and fitted with universal cargo trailers.

Each trailer is rated to carry up to 200 kilograms, reportedly enabling troops to move ammunition, equipment, and other supplies in terrain where conventional vehicles struggle to operate.

Kalashnikov said the electric platforms were developed in 2025 by engineers at the company’s prototyping center as an internal initiative, shaped by feedback from prospective users.

According to Defence Blog, the vehicles are intended for environments where mobility is constrained by terrain, visibility, or noise—conditions common close to the front line.

Both the Izh-Enduro motorcycle and the two-seat, high-mobility Izh-ScootWay scooter are categorized as low-noise transport systems. Kalashnikov positions them for combat and special missions that require maneuverability and a reduced acoustic signature, such as short-range resupply, courier tasks, and movement in contested areas.

As noted by Defence Blog, the vehicles are capable of speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour and are engineered to function in harsh climates and off-road conditions.

During development, Kalashnikov reinforced mounting points, introduced a quick-release trailer coupling, and improved loading ergonomics to allow rapid deployment under field conditions.

The Izh-Enduro electric motorcycle weighs roughly 100 kilograms and uses a lithium-ion battery, offering an operating range of up to 100 kilometers, depending on terrain and load. It is designed to carry a single rider while towing a cargo trailer across uneven ground.

The Izh-ScootWay electric scooter, by contrast, is a two-seat platform with extended suspension travel. It can transport a rider, a passenger, and cargo with a combined load capacity of up to 300 kilograms, while maintaining a similar range of up to 100 kilometers per charge.

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Defence Blog notes that such capacity makes it suitable for casualty evacuation over short distances or resupply missions in restricted-access areas.

Kalashnikov said the electric vehicles are currently produced in limited batches, primarily to fulfill special orders. The company did not disclose how many units were delivered or which military formation received them, citing operational security.

Earlier, reports emerged that a Russian special-operations commander begun training horse-mounted assault teams—part of a broader shift to improvised, low-tech mobility in depleted frontline formations.

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