Russia’s New “Plants vs. Zombies” Tactics

Since my last article, “5 Obsolete Tactics Used by Russians in Ukraine,” many things have changed. Russians have become smarter, upgrading their brutal methods by disposing of their expendable soldiers in a new, creative way that is strikingly reminiscent of the Plants vs. Zombies franchise. In this scenario, Ukrainians are the “Plants” who constantly upgrade their uncrewed vehicles (UxVs) to destroy as many enemies as possible, and Russians are the “Zombies” who try to cross the kill zone, packed with FPV drones, and infiltrate Ukrainian positions.

Here are 8 Russian tactics and their corresponding zombie characters.

1 Regular Zombie

After losing so many tanks and armored vehicles, Russians decided to cross the kill zone in small groups of 3–5 people to reach or penetrate Ukrainian defense lines. Their goal is to accumulate personnel and ammunition, and then suddenly strike and create havoc behind enemy lines. These small groups are exposed to drones, artillery, and mines, and 80–90% of them are destroyed. Yet, the remaining survivors can cause significant damage once they have crossed the kill zone, similar to the PvZ game. This is the method by which Pokrovsk was infiltrated by small groups of enemies, and today, street fighting is the only way to defend the city.

The Mule

While Ukrainians are focused on massively producing and improving Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) to enhance logistics and evacuation, Russians do not need to do so—they have plenty of readily expendable soldiers. “The Mule” is the most despised and exposed “zombie” of all of them—they carry heavy ammunition and provisions to the frontlines and are heavily exposed to FPV drones because of their slow pace.

Stealth Zombies

These “upgraded” versions of regular soldiers are very slow—they can literally crawl through the kill zone for days or even weeks. Their main advantage is Anti-thermal cloaks. If a regular soldier emits a thermal signature visible at night through the lens of an infrared camera, thermal camouflage can make an enemy “invisible.” Another advantage is support from the air, where drone pilots warn them of any upcoming danger so they can hide and survive longer. But, of course, this type is not invincible. Watch a video from the 15th Operational Purpose Brigade “Spartan” National Guard destroying enemies in thermal camouflage.

Flag Zombies

The goal of these zombies is to plant a Russian flag on Ukraine-controlled territory for propaganda purposes or to create fake reports for Russian generals. They even have a special name: flagovtyki or “Flag planters.” This is often a suicide mission, as the soldiers die without bringing any tactical advantages.

Motorcycle Zombies

Compared to the mules and stealth zombies, biker zombies are fast and light. Their goal is to cross the kill zone and secure a position near or behind Ukrainian lines as fast as they can. Of course, they are more exposed to mines and FPVs, but they rely solely on speed to survive. Other types of such “zombies” use scooters, golf carts, and civilian cars.

Watch this video of Russian bikers attacking with huge flags:

Digger Zombies

This tactic is highly efficient, and Ukrainians have fallen for it three times already—in Kupiansk (Sept 2025), Sudzha (March 25), and Avdiivka (Jan 2024). Russian groups enter large gas pipes or sewers and move towards the centers of fortified cities, where they emerge and attack Ukrainians from behind. They have even used special carts to quickly cross the pipe where a person cannot stand fully. For instance, the gas pipe in Sudzha was only 142 cm (56 inches) in diameter. Many of those digger soldiers have died from deadly vapors, but those who tried to get out were destroyed. Recently, the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment “Achilles” used 3 tonnes of explosives to destroy the gas pipe to Kupiansk.

Crippled Zombies

Although this is not an official zombie from PvZ, Russians are sending even their wounded soldiers on assaults. They even have a name for them: “Crippled Regiment” (or Kalech Polk). This demonstrates how little value the Russian command places on their people’s lives, especially those who are already wounded. You might think this is Ukrainian propaganda, but there are plenty of videos of Russian wounded soldiers carrying out “attacks.”

Monster Tank Zombies

When the weather is gloomy, Russians roll out their armored vehicles. To protect their tanks and APCs, they used to weld anti-drone grilles onto them. Today, there is a new trend: the “hedgehog armor.” Tanks and vehicles look more and more like surreal Mad Max cars—these, and many more advancements, were created by the Second Army in the Whole World.

In 2021, Putin named the Russian people as the main gold reserve. It suggests he is willing to spend that “gold” until “all the goals of Special Military Operations will be achieved.” This is why Putin is calling Russian reservists for “training” in 2026 with a covert goal to use them in war. Also, men on occupied Ukrainian territories will not be spared and will be turned into Putin’s zombies.