The UK has stepped up its support for Ukraine by delivering additional weapon decoys aimed at misleading Russian forces regarding the actual influx of Western arms. These decoys are designed to resemble sophisticated military hardware, notably the Challenger 2 tanks and AS-90 self-propelled artillery systems, which are currently in short supply. Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Lowri Simner emphasized the strategic importance of these decoys, stating, “We haven’t gifted a huge amount of these, so anything we can do to make the quantities look greater on the frontline is advantageous to us.”
As Russian military operations increasingly utilize satellite imagery and advanced drones to locate targets, the UK has enhanced its production of replicas that are not only convincing but also challenging to differentiate from real weapons. These deception tactics aim not only to confuse Russian intelligence but also to mislead enemy forces into expending expensive munitions on inexpensive, fabricated targets.
Constructed from lightweight materials, the mock weapons can be rapidly assembled and deployed by Ukrainian troops in combat zones. Colonel Ollie Todd, a Royal Marine and procurement officer for Taskforce Kindred, highlighted the ratio of decoys being shipped, stating that the UK is providing 30 decoys for every five genuine weapons systems. He remarked on their authenticity, noting that even from a distance of 25 meters (82 feet), they are often indistinguishable from actual military equipment.
Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Kateryna Chornohorenko recognized the growing trend of using fake military assets in the current warfare landscape. She categorized these decoys as “a very necessary element of warfare today,” as strategically placed replicas can compel the enemy to waste valuable time, effort, and ammunition. She also pointed out that Russia has employed its own decoys, notably drones designed to mimic loitering munitions but with limited explosive payloads, further emphasizing the arms race in military deception strategies.
The UK Ministry of Defence has noted that Russian forces are resorting to even more rudimentary tactics, such as painting fake fighter jets on airfields, in a bid to divert Ukrainian missile strikes away from legitimate military targets. This ongoing development highlights the evolving nature of battlefield tactics on both sides as they strive for superiority in an increasingly complex war environment.
