Ukrainian balloons invading Russian airspace: A new tactic unveiled

Russian sources claim that several Ukrainian weather balloons, adapted for reconnaissance and assault missions, have been observed over their country, reports Defense Romania. In recent days, the Russians have intercepted at least several such objects. What are the Ukrainian balloons that invade the airspace of the aggressor country?

According to Russian sources, Ukrainian weather balloons appeared, among others, in the Lipetsk, Kursk, and Bryansk regions on 15-16 April. The Russians also claim that the objects were destroyed. For example, Alexander Bogomaz, the governor of the Bryansk region, reported on Telegram about three Ukrainian balloons that the Russian air defence intercepted on 16 April. In his view, the objects did not cause material damage or casualties.

As Defense Romania recalls, in the case of civil applications, weather balloons are used to lift weather monitoring instruments to a height of about 37 km. Those used by Ukrainians, however, have different equipment. The service mentions explosive charges and radio command systems that help drop them from a high altitude onto designated targets. Some balloons also have systems that allow radar radiation to be recorded from anti-aircraft missile complexes. Defense Romania reports that such balloons can detect the Russian S-400 air defence system from about 250 km.

The small balloons are produced by the Ukrainian company Aerobavovna. These devices can also often be seen on the battlefield. As we have already informed, they are used for reconnaissance, signal retransmission, or drone control. Their prices vary, but the simplest models cost £2,400. This is the price of an aerostat that can carry loads of about 5 kg and operate at an altitude of over 500 meters. Such models do not require electrical power or fuel (used in more advanced versions of Aerobavovna aerostats).

Aerobavovna claims its simplest aerostats are three times cheaper than commercial drones, making them an attractive complement. According to the manufacturer, preparing such a balloon takes 15 minutes and a team of about 2-3 people. The balloons are filled with helium and can remain in the air for several days to weeks. Importantly, a helium-filled aerostat is not under pressure and slowly loses gas and altitude. Therefore, even if hit by an enemy (excluding direct, destructive impact), it gently descends to the ground. Such a journey takes about three hours. In this way, the risk of destroying the cargo carried by the aerostat is reduced.