Ukrainians install a trench. To optimize the protection of soldiers, they need nets. and they found where to find cheap ones. Image: watson/imago
Ukraine has found an original way to protect its equipment and positions: abandoned fishing nets.
Julian Alexander Fischer / t-online
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Drones play a leading role in the war in Ukraine. On each side of the front, thousands of remote-controlled flying devices take off to attack enemy positions and equipment.
kyiv is actively seeking ways to protect yourself against this danger from the sky. And she knew how to be inventive. Because there are certainly special protective nets for drones, but they are expensive: between five and ten francs per square meter.
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The Ukrainians thus found a less expensive alternative: old fishing nets. They were scrapped in the Netherlands, due to their poor condition. Thousands of nets were stored in hangars while waiting to be eliminated or recycled, according to the Ukrainian portal Frontliner.
The interest of the Russians and the Chinese
In collaboration with the Volonter foundation, military aid brought back several hundred tons of nets to Ukraine, while others are still sleeping in Dutch warehouses.
According to Ihor Bondartschuk, an employee of the foundation, the Dutch partners were convinced to hand over the equipment free of charge. All that remained then were the logistics costs. Or when seemingly worthless objects still make people happy. Russian traders would also be on the lookout, and China was also eyeing Dutch goods.
Fishing nets replace those of protection used until now by the army to cover trenches or military technique. Their goal is twofold: to conceal positions and protect against drone strikes.
According to the report of Frontlinerthe nets could thus intercept dropped drones or projectiles and return them, so that the munitions explode next to the target and cause significantly less damage. This technique has already used and provenexplains Artem Kuljubajev, director of the humanitarian organization Volonter.
“When covered, tanks and armored vehicles escape Russian attacks”
Artem Kuljubaev
Thus, the nets help to fight against Orlan reconnaissance vehicles, as well as against Lancet combat vehicles and FPVs.
Limitations and countermeasures
However, implementation remains complicated: it must be planned precisely. so as not to hinder freedom of movement soldiers or not to obstruct them when they shoot or throw grenades. One of them believes that the technique does not work for the most advanced positions. The latter can hardly be protected due to the constant evolution of the front.
Additionally, the Russian military uses similar techniques. She protected entire forests with nets. Both sides now often launch dual offensives. This involves first damaging the net before moving on to the actual attack with a second drone. According to the portal, Ukrainian and Russian pilots are now using special drones equipped with incendiary devices, and nicknamed “lighter drones”.
The hot news on the Russian war against Ukraine is here
(Translated from German by Valentine Zenker)
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