Summary and Key Points You Need to Know: For nearly 900 days, the Ukraine war has seen intense battles, from Mariupol to the Donbas. Amid severe equipment shortages, Russian forces resorted to using golf carts for assaults near Kupyansk, a key logistics hub.

-The makeshift attack failed disastrously, highlighting Russia's desperate measures and disregard for soldiers' lives. Ukrainian forces report heavy Russian casualties, with 1,110 troops lost in a single day and substantial losses in vehicles, tanks, and artillery.

-Since February 2022, Russia has suffered almost 565,000 manpower losses. Despite Russia's force generation capability, the high casualty rate remains unsustainable as President Putin continues the "special military operation."

Golf Carts in Combat: Russia's Unconventional Tactics in Ukraine

For almost 900 days, the war in Ukraine has provided some extraordinary moments. From the valiant Ukrainian defense of Mariupol, to the brutal fighting in the Donbas, both militaries have been using every tool they have. 

But the Russian forces took it to another level after they used golf carts to assault Ukrainian trenches. 

Anyone Up for a Game of Golf?

The Russian military is taking so many daily casualties that it is having a hard time fielding enough tactical vehicles to support its offensive operations. The best example of the results of this shortage took place recently near Kupyansk, in Eastern Ukraine.

A key logistical hub, Kupyansk is under Ukrainian control, having been liberated in September 2022 after a lightning counteroffensive that took the Russians by surprise. Since then, the Russians have tried to recapture Kupyansk and thereby seriously hamper Ukrainian logistics in Eastern Ukraine.  

The Russian military has increased its offensives in the area recently. Extremely high losses in weapons systems forced Russian commanders to send their attacking troops on golf carts. The Russian regiment used at least five golf carts to carry troops close to Ukrainian trenches. As you can imagine, the attack didn’t go well. All five golf carts were destroyed, and the Russian assault force was decimated by the fortified Ukrainians. 

The incident shows both the materiel shortages in the Russian military and the complete disregard of Russian commanders for the lives of their soldiers. Indeed, a Russian infantryman in Ukraine is little more than cannon fodder, thrown en masse against fortified Ukrainian positions to attrite Kyiv’s forces. 

In some ways, that approach is working. The Ukrainian military is pressed hard across the contact line, devoting forces in defense as opposed to liberating Russian-held territory.

Russian Casualties in Ukraine: An Update 

Meanwhile, the heavy Russian losses continued for another day. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military claims to have killed, wounded, or captured approximately 1,110 Russian troops. In addition, Kyiv estimates that it destroyed or heavily damaged 61 tactical vehicles and fuel trucks, 44 artillery pieces and multiple launch rocket systems, 31 unmanned aerial systems, 11 main battle tanks, 9 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, 9 pieces of special equipment, and 1 anti-aircraft weapon system.

Overall, the Russian forces have taken almost 565,000 manpower losses and have lost tens of thousands of heavy weapons systems since February 24, 2022. What should be most concerning for the Russian command is the fact that the daily casualty rate continues to be very high. In May and June alone, the Kremlin lost about 70,000 men. The Russian military could easily lose as many as 125,000 men before the summer is out, and up to 700,000 by the end of the year. 

Although the Russian military has shown a remarkable force generation capability, it understands that combat-ready men don’t grow on trees. On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t seem to understand this, and continues to push for his “special military operation.”

About the Author: 

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.

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