Ukrainian Military Deploys Balloons to Launch Drones Against Russia
· World · Hindustan Times, The Economist
Ukraine has launched over 1,000 military balloons into Russian territory since last autumn to drop bombs, act as radio relays, and extend the range of drone strikes. In May, Ukrainian soldiers deployed a balloon to carry an American-made Hornet drone about 42km before releasing it at an altitude of 8km. This method allows drones to use only 5% of their battery during transit, leaving them almost fully charged for combat missions. While Russian forces are also experimenting with balloons, prevailing winds are currently against them. The exact scale of damage inflicted by these balloon-launched strikes remains unquantified in current reports.
Why it matters
This development introduces a new aerial tactic in the Russia-Ukraine war, allowing low-cost delivery systems to bypass conventional air defenses and extend the strike range of uncrewed aircraft.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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