Kyiv, Ukraine – DonkKyiv, Ukraine – Donkeys are the newest mode of transportation some Russian military units have begun using on the front lines of eastern Ukraine, according to Moscow’s soldiers and pro-war bloggers.The use of braying quadrupeds to deliver ammunition and supplies is “normal”, retired Russian Lieutenant General Viktor Sobolev rIt’s better to have a donkey killed instead of the two men that deliver cargo in their vehicle,” he told the Gazeta.ru website on February 6.Last year, Russia began using motorcycles, dirt bikes, electric scooters and civilian cars for frontal attacks on Ukrainian positions.Observers say the downgrading reflects a growing trend that significantly hobbles Russia’s already slow advance on the war’s main theatre – the southeastern Donbas region.Military analysts have told Al Jazeera that the Ukrainian army has already destroyed a lion’s share of Russia’s tanks and armoured vehicles.The shortage is increasingly hard to replenish, even as Moscow digs into mammoth Soviet-era stocks to refurbish decommissioned and dysfunctional vehicles.eys are the newest mode of transportation some Russian military units have begun using on the front lines of eastern Ukraine, according to Moscow’s soldiers and pro-war bloggers.ThRecommended StorieObservers say the downgrading reflects a growing trend that significantly hobbles Russia’s already slow advance on the war’s main theatre – the southeastern Donbas region.The shortage is increasingly hard to replenish, even as Moscow digs into mammoth Soviet-era stocks to refurbish decommissioned and dysfunctional vehicles.