Russia tests WWII-style balloon nets to shield critical sites from Ukrainian drones

Russian officials presented a prototype anti-drone system that revives the balloon barriers once used in World War II. The arrangement, being tested by Spetsradio, deploys a cluster of tethered balloons whose heights are controlled by radar-guided mechanisms. Stretched between the balloons are robust Kevlar cables designed to snag or deflect incoming drones.

During a test, a small aircraft’s propeller was caught in the cords, confirming the operational principle. The approach is intended to protect vulnerable assets such as oil refineries and industrial plants, where traditional missile defenses are costly. Weather conditions, especially wind, could limit effectiveness, and the system would complement existing air-defence layers rather than replace them. Its readiness for widespread combat use remains uncertain.