It’s now clear why Russian soldiers have been spotted with a large number of toy hoverboards in Ukraine. A video recently shared online shows these hoverboards, which are fitted with anti-tank mines, exploding as they hit Ukrainian military positions along the 700-mile front line of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The idea of using hoverboards in this way was first developed by a Russian volunteer group called Dva Mayora last summer. They began modifying these toy hoverboards, turning them into unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), and sent them to Russian military units. By February of this year, Russian soldiers were seen loading large numbers of these hoverboards onto trucks. These hoverboards could have either been donated by supporters or possibly even stolen from Ukrainian homes in the areas that Russia occupies.
The hoverboards, originally designed as toys, are not being used the way they were intended. Instead of allowing soldiers to ride them, these hoverboards are being turned into one-time-use explosive drones that are designed to carry anti-tank mines and explode when they reach their targets.
Hoverboards: A New Type of Explosive Drone
Flying drones have already become a dominant force on the battlefield in Ukraine. Both the Russian and Ukrainian armies use hundreds of thousands of small drones each month, and these drones cause a huge number of injuries and deaths. According to The New York Times, about 70% of battlefield casualties are caused by these tiny flying drones. However, ground robots, like the ones made from hoverboards, are much less common.
Why are hoverboards being chosen as a ground robot for this job? Flying drones are easy to control, but it’s much harder for remote-controlled vehicles to move through rough, uneven ground. That’s where hoverboards come in. These two-wheeled hoverboards are actually very stable compared to traditional ground vehicles, thanks to the gyroscopes inside them that help balance the board. This means they can move quickly across the difficult terrain of the battlefield.
Since hoverboards are cheap — costing around $100 each — they are seen as expendable, one-time-use devices. Russian forces don’t need to save them for special situations. They can just send these hoverboard drones into battle, knowing they are inexpensive and easy to replace. This makes them a useful tool in the war effort, especially when large numbers are needed for smaller missions.
Could Hoverboards Be Used as Vehicles in Battle?
While hoverboards are currently being used as drones, there is a possibility that they could be adapted for use as actual assault vehicles in the future. Russian troops, facing a shortage of heavy military vehicles due to their losses in Ukraine, have begun using civilian vehicles as transportation in the war. These include electric scooters, small cars, and old trucks. As the Russian military continues to struggle with a lack of proper vehicles, we might one day see soldiers using hoverboards as a way to move quickly on the battlefield.
If hoverboards do eventually become used for transport or assault missions, they may have a better chance of surviving combat. When used as explosive drones, however, they are designed for a single use only, meaning they are not expected to come back after completing their mission.
Why Are Hoverboards So Important in This War?
The use of toy hoverboards as explosive drones highlights the growing desperation of the Russian military. With a significant number of tanks, armored vehicles, and other military equipment lost in the conflict, the Russian army has had to get creative in how it equips its soldiers. These toy hoverboards, which are easily available and cheap, provide an interesting alternative to traditional military weapons.
While hoverboards may not be the most advanced or powerful weapon on the battlefield, their simplicity and low cost make them a valuable tool for Russian forces. They can be sent into battle quickly and cheaply, and because they are expendable, they don’t need to be treated like valuable equipment. It’s a new and innovative use for a toy that no one expected to see on the front lines of a major war.
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