Here's why Russian soldiers are riding around the Arctic on sleds pulled by Reindeer
And Russia isn't the only country to still use animal transports. The US has a Mountain Warfare Training Center in California where they train Marines to ride horses and load pack animals.
Reindeer and dog sleds are probably best suited for reconnaissance or other specialized tasks.
Source: Sim Tack, chief analyst at Force Analysis, and former Stratfor analyst.
Russian troops also use sled dogs and skis.
The reindeer can also be more mobile on rough terrain and sometimes go places vehicles can't, like through thick forests or over frozen lakes.
Source: Sim Tack, chief analyst at Force Analysis, and former Stratfor analyst and Omar Lamrani, a Stratfor analyst.
The reindeer require less maintenance and fuel than motorized vehicles and can cover great distances without getting tired.
Source: Sim Tack, chief analyst at Force Analysis, and former Stratfor analyst, and Omar Lamrani, a Stratfor analyst.
Russia still uses animal transports, like reindeer seen below, for certain kinds of missions in the Arctic.
Above is a shot of members of Russia's Northern Fleet motorized rifle brigade being pulled around by reindeer.
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