Russian drone hits fake target in Ukrainian defense bluff
The Russians claimed a successful attack on a Ukrainian NASAMS air defense system, but the target they hit was a cleverly designed decoy.
The incident occurred in the Kursk region, where heavy fighting continues. The Russians utilized an FPV drone for the attack, which communicates via fiber optics. This relatively new technology has been used in the ongoing war as a countermeasure against jammers and anti-aircraft systems.
NASAMS system decoy attacked by Russians
As Norbert Garbarek, a journalist from Wirtualna Polska, noted, this type of drone offers higher quality image transmission and reduces the phenomenon known as the "radio horizon." However, it ultimately did not achieve its intended goal for the Russians, who struck a decoy instead of Ukrainian equipment.
The actual NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) launcher is a highly sought-after target for the Russians. It is considered one of the most valued air defense systems globally and has been performing exceptionally well in Ukraine, which has received several of these systems from the West.
NASAMS can intercept various targets, including drones, helicopters, airplanes, and even cruise missiles. It offers a striking range of up to about 37 miles, although this can vary depending on the target and type of missiles used. The radars detecting enemy targets have a range of up to about 75 miles.
This is not the first such blunder by the Russians
Military equipment decoys have proven to be a highly effective tactic, widely employed by Ukrainians. The Russians have been misled by such "traps" numerous times, most recently when they believed they had destroyed a Leopard 2A4 tank from Poland.
Some Ukrainian companies are manufacturing decoys resembling artillery pieces and radar stations on a larger scale, with support from allies like the Czech Republic. The Czech company INFLATECH from Děčín produces inflatable decoys, including M1A2 Abrams tanks. This approach is well-regarded; some NATO countries are now equipping their armies with similar elements.
