this post was submitted on 24 Feb 2025
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[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 91 points 2 days 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.

[–] AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world 41 points 2 days 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.

[–] NiHaDuncan@lemmy.world 36 points 2 days ago (2 children)

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

[–] nwtreeoctopus@sh.itjust.works 19 points 2 days 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.

[–] Saleh@feddit.org 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.

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.

[–] BedSharkPal@lemmy.ca 17 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

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

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 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.

[–] Klear@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] Katana314@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day 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.

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 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.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

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

[–] Maggoty@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day 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?

[–] hungryphrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Today on: What Fucking Century Are We In?

[–] VerifiedSource@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

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

[–] hungryphrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 18 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".

[–] InternetCitizen2@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago

Relevant

I think I got banned for the shit post :(