Reports emerging from the front lines describe a tactic used by Ukrainian forces that involves weather balloons acting as decoys to mislead Russian air defense systems. The information comes from DEA News, citing the head of the Tor-M2 air defense unit operating with the Western group of forces.
One military technician stationed in the Kupyansky district explains that the balloons create a form of interference that looks like a cluster of 15 to 20 balls. He notes that these decoys are designed to resemble ordinary weather balloons and are deployed as a feint to complicate the radar picture for enemy systems.
The balloons reportedly fly at roughly 4 kilometers altitude, a height chosen to test the limitations of air defense while remaining outside the most sensitive engagement zones. Yet the tactic is described as not being highly effective against well-prepared defenses, according to the frontline unit commander.
The commander adds that the forces have become adept at distinguishing weather balloon targets from legitimate aircraft or missiles, enabling defenders to avoid unnecessary retaliation and preserve resources for real threats.
Earlier, officials described a separate incident in which weather balloons were used to probe airspace over the Voronezh region. Local authorities reported that air defense systems countered the balloons, with the region recording casualties from a separate night attack. Medical teams assessed the condition of an elderly resident as moderate, and she was admitted to a hospital where she continues to receive care and support.
There have also been reports near Kaluga of weather balloons carrying explosive payloads. These findings have raised concerns about the evolving use of balloon-based devices in aerial reconnaissance and attack scenarios.
As conflicts evolve, military authorities stress the importance of accurate threat assessment and careful decision-making when responding to unconventional aerial indicators. Analysts emphasize that weather balloons can resemble routine atmospheric monitoring equipment, which complicates rapid identification and response in the heat of battle. The ongoing dialogue between operational units and regional command centers seeks to refine detection methods and minimize the risk of escalation.