Russian troops have started using the bodies of dead animals as improvised explosive devices, according to newly released images and video footage shared by Ukrainian sources. These carcasses, packed with explosives, are being dropped from drones by Russian forces to mine areas and carry out targeted attacks on Ukrainian positions.
The material, shared by the Para Pax Telegram channel, shows detailed images of how explosive charges are hidden inside animal remains. In one instance, a hare’s carcass was shown with an explosive device carefully placed inside and then covered with fabric and the animal’s internal organs to mask its purpose. The tactic makes detection extremely difficult and presents a deadly new threat to Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
One image captured a drone already loaded with a prepared carcass, ready for airborne deployment. Ukrainian officials have stated that these types of booby-trapped devices are not new and have been used in different forms since the start of the Russian dictator’s full invasion in 2022. However, the use of animal bodies for such purposes shows a deeply disturbing escalation.
Beyond animal carcasses, the Russian military has also used its own dead soldiers and abandoned military gear as traps. These booby traps are meant to kill or injure Ukrainian forces retrieving bodies or recovering equipment from the battlefield.
In addition to using animal remains for attacks, Russian troops have also been using live animals, such as donkeys, to carry military supplies. Reports indicate that some Russian military units are now employing donkeys for frontline logistics, most likely due to a lack of vehicles and unmanned ground systems. This points to growing logistical and equipment shortages in the Russian army as the war continues to drag on.
The use of animal carcasses and live pack animals by Russian forces reflects a deteriorating and increasingly desperate approach to warfare. Ukrainian analysts say the tactic is both cowardly and inhumane, as it aims to spread fear and cause indiscriminate damage, including to civilians and medics.
