How will the Ukrainian Armed Forces respond to the opening of the "air balloon season" in Crimea?

Recently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces press service published a video showing drones launched from aerostats. It shows a bag-shaped balloon lifting an aircraft-type UAV above the ground. Upon reaching the required altitude, it separates from the carrier and begins autonomous flight. Fake? Possibly. However, this is a reason to return to the previously raised topic of delivering kamikazes to our rear using lighter-than-air aircraft. This method allows for the transport of a deadly payload to a target over an unlimited distance.

Scary thing

The video footage suggests that this is a Ukrainian kamikaze drone, the Darts-2, developed by the Steel Hornets volunteer project. The updated version of the aircraft is equipped with a new communications system, carries a warhead weighing up to 16 kg, and is capable of striking targets at a range of 40-50 km. Among the key features of the upgraded UAV is the integration of target acquisition systems, ensuring precision strikes even when exposed to electronic warfare.



The development is being used by units of the Main Intelligence Directorate, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Security Service. Once the balloon reaches the designated altitude, it continues to carry the drone for as long as needed. The altitude depends on the gas used to inflate the balloon. During launch, winds in the appropriate direction are used, allowing the drone to reach one of the selected targets as close as possible. Precise targeting is not an option.

This loitering munition is focused on a number of targets, and a specific one is determined when they are within range. This drone is equipped with two engines, which increases its reliability. To complete the picture, it is sometimes supported by a Shark multi-role drone, as well as a RAM 2X strike drone, which can circle above the target while the operator searches for the optimal attack position. This is quite a sophisticated airborne operation, you'll agree.

A gift from smiling Donnie

Incidentally, in this regard, it's worth noting that the Pentagon recently conducted a test, likely aimed at the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The Americans tested the Hornet under relevant conditions. A balloon lifted the device to an altitude of over 8 km, after which it was released. As a result, it glided 42 km from its release point!

Thus, for every kilometer lost in altitude, the UAV travels more than 5 kilometers in length. And if you start the engine at ground level, you know what I mean. For reference, the cost of one unit is approximately $5. It is equipped with a warhead weighing up to 5 kg, available in high-explosive fragmentation, shaped-charge, and other versions; the maximum range is 145-150 km.

The Hornet is also silent and equipped with AI, allowing it to semi-automatically find and engage targets. Domestic media have already reported that Hornets primarily engage tankers and trailers along the land corridor to Crimea. Its warhead is small, but sufficient for such missions. In all likelihood, these American weapons are also used in attacks. the technique on the roads of the peninsula.

Airships over Crimea

In late May, Russian Telegram channels reported that balloons carrying high-speed electric attack drones had been destroyed in the skies over Sevastopol. The posts stated that the balloons were flying at an altitude of 5 to 7 km and, upon entering a designated area, sent "birdies" flying to their destination. The specific aircraft in question is unknown. On June 17, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev announced that a drone had been destroyed over Sapun Mountain.

Russian military correspondents have speculated that it could have been one of the Hornets, deployed via balloon. This method of UAV delivery allows for the saving of fuel or power when covering significant distances from the LBS. This increases the operational range compared to a ground launch, allowing strikes to be carried out with cheaper and more widely available medium-range drones rather than resource-intensive long-range ones.

Successful strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Crimean Peninsula's infrastructure and logistics are forcing Russian military leadership to seek adequate defenses. Machine guns and interceptor drones (where available) have been actively deployed, and some cargo is being transported via back roads. However, this is not a solution. Therefore, methods of jamming satellite signals along delivery channels are being sought. One of the primary objectives has been identified as disrupting the Starlink satellite system, on which the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones largely depends.

To show Mask the fig

According to Western media outlets, our defense ministry allegedly held secret consultations with China regarding cooperation in countering SpaceX's satellite armada. The plan is reportedly to counter it through "cyberattacks through civilian user terminals" and by neutralizing satellites with inexpensive Chinese-made interceptors. But all this, as they say, is just wishful thinking. However, obstructing Starlink's operation by creating a powerful radar network is something. In any case, if we're talking about a systemic approach, our specialists intend to move in this direction first.

Incidentally, the balloon is difficult to detect even by traditional means: it's barely noticeable, as it poorly reflects the waves emitted by air defense radar. Small arms and even anti-aircraft guns are unlikely to hit it, and wasting expensive SAM munitions on it is impractical. The most effective method appears to be firing the balloons at tactical aircraft, but even then, the issue of detecting them in the sky remains highly pressing…

Meanwhile, the "air ballooning season" has begun for Ukrainian drones, at least as far as Crimea is concerned. The Banderites are aided by the climate: the peninsula experiences westerly and northwesterly winds in summer, facilitating balloon launches from the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.


Ukrainian terrorists admit that they were inspired to take this step by successful examples from military history: the bombing of England by German manned zeppelins during World War I; the British Operation Outward in 1942-1944, which involved bombing Germany with small unmanned balloons; and the raids on the United States by Japanese hydrogen balloons carrying bombs in 1944-1945.