Why Latvia Donated Quads and Electric Scooters to the Ukraine War Effort

A soldier can only be so intimidating when standing on an electric scooter. In bulky brown coats and forest-green pants, a quartet of Latvian soldiers demonstrate the ease of their Mosphera scooters. The vehicles, made in Liepajā, Latvia, were part of an arms transfer from that country to Ukraine, part of the ongoing effort of the Baltic nation, together with others, to ensure Ukraine has the tools to fight and win against Russia.

Alongside the four scooters, Latvia transferred nine quadricycles to Ukraine on January 25, framing it as a birthday gift to President Zelensky. It’s a modest offering from a small country, powered specifically by a crowdsourced donation campaign. It also illustrates the comprehensive scale at which militaries can absorb new equipment, from massive battlefield beasts to 164-pound scooters.

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“We are testing real combat action when we give these systems to the front line and also others that will be in the future. I know about these scooters — Ukrainians already have them, and there is also feedback. Improvements can be made. We need to learn how to defend this country also technically and tactically, not just morally,” former Latvian National Armed Forces Commander Raimonds Graube told Latvian Public Broadcasting.

Those benefits, outlined in the Latvian (but not English) version of the story online, include traveling at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph), and transporting intelligence operatives or special forces. While a scooter may look the opposite of scary, its low profile and quiet operation can make it a valuable asset. Mosphera claims the scooters have a range of up to 240 km or 150 miles, and notes the battery can operate in temperatures of -20 C (-4 F) to 60 C (140 F).

Here’s a promotional video for the Mosphera scooter, with racing-drone footage and stadium-rock guitars doing some heavy lifting to help make it look fierce:

Mosphera - a Military Grade e-scooter

The point of such a vehicle, though, isn’t battle — it’s to get people where they need to be, quickly and discreetly, so they can more effectively fight.

The silence and ease of electric vehicles has already proven a factor in the Ukraine war. Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, and by mid-May there were reports of Ukrainian forces using e-bikes to move into position with anti-tank missiles.

In addition to the electric scooters, the nine quadricycles provided by Latvia in late January joined the 80 already offered to the country. These all-terrain vehicles are offered as miniature workhorses, filling three distinct missions.