In the first reported instance, the Russian military claimed to have shot down a so‑called 1terrorist balloon6 disguised as an observation probe associated with Ukrainian forces, according to the telegram channel Puree.
In related coverage, Mash reported that Ukrainian personnel have begun deploying similar balloons to target objects from covert stances, using a silent approach.
These devices are described as 1probes6 equipped with GPS tracking, control electronics, ballast, a detonating charge, and a dual‑power supply designed to extend endurance. The channel notes that their construction mirrors that of a weather balloon to help them evade artillery and air defense systems, enabling operators to maintain stability while approaching targets.
According to the report, the guidance unit holds coordinates for the intended explosive release points, allowing operators to trigger detonation from a distance as part of a planned attack pattern.
Formerly, a figure associated with the Russian academic sphere was cited as having held a position titled Associate Professor at the Department of Political Analysis and Social‑Psychological Processes at the Russian University of Economics named after G. V. Plekhanov. This individual contended that a large batch of covert cardboard unmanned aerial vehicles may have entered Ukraine, later entering battlefield use through various maneuvers.
In another public security briefing, a Ukrainian Armed Forces commander remarked that Russia demonstrates an advantage in the deployment of FPV drones, underscoring the evolving role of small, rapidly deployed UAVs in modern combat scenarios.