In the polar regions, the Russian army has abandoned tanks and armored vehicles, opting instead for reindeer and dog sleds used by the indigenous Inuit people.
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| In mid-January 2017, the 80th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Northern Fleet conducted exercises at a reindeer farm in the Levozero settlement in the Murmansk region. |
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| The first Russian brigade operating in the Arctic Circle was established within the framework of the Northern Fleet in 2015. This brigade is based in the Murmansk region, approximately 1,850 km north of Moscow. The Russian military plans to establish a similar brigade in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region in Siberia. |
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| In a region where temperatures can drop to -50 degrees Celsius, the Russian military found it more convenient to use traditional Northern modes of transportation such as reindeer and husky sled dogs. |
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| During World War II, dog- and reindeer-drawn sleds were also used by Russia to evacuate the wounded, transport goods, and even for reconnaissance missions. |
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| One of the most successful campaigns using reindeer and sled dogs was the Battle of Petsamo, in which Russian troops stormed a German airfield outside Alakurtti, west of Murmansk, in 1942. |
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| Dog-drawn sleds easily climbed hills, transporting the wounded or weapons and ammunition. |
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| Huskies are renowned for their strong hunting instincts. In the wild, they typically hunt mice and small birds. |
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| These dogs "enlist" from a young age and receive formal training from the Russian military. Around 4 months old, promising puppies begin to interact with larger dogs to learn from them. |
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| The pack itself has a hierarchy, much like in the military, with two lead dogs responsible for setting the pace for the entire pack. |
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| When the coachman was injured, the trained dogs would carry him to the nearest populated area. If no suitable rest stop could be found, they would surround him, forming a wall to keep him warm. |
According to VOV
