In June 2023, a video started spreading on pro-war Russian social media channels, apparently showing a drone destroying a Ukrainian tank in a massive explosion. But not everything is what it seems in the Russia-Ukraine war. That video was followed by Ukrainian footage showing a laughing soldier pointing at the burning wreckage and exclaiming: 'They've hit my wooden tank!' The tank in question appears to be a plywood decoy used by the Ukrainian forces to deceive the Russians. It is one of many thousands of full-scale models of military equipment used by both Ukraine and Russia to trick the enemy into wasting valuable ammunition, time and effort.
Almost anything seen on the frontline - from small radars and grenade launchers to jeeps, trucks, tanks and actual soldiers - may be fake. These imitations can come in flat-packs, be inflatable, 2D or create a radar illusion of a tank by reflecting radio waves in a special way. In the case of some weapon types deployed in Ukraine, at least half of them are actually decoy imitations.
Among the most popular decoys used by the Ukrainian army are models of the British-made M777 howitzers. Volunteers play an important role in supplying decoy mock-ups, with groups like Na Chasi producing about 160 models of M777s, taking only minutes to assemble. These decoys not only deceive enemy troops but also save resources, as Russian forces often target them with expensive kamikaze drones.
The techniques employed in deploying decoys range from ensuring realistic positioning with wheel ruts and supplies to quickly replacing actual artillery with decoys after use. This strategic deception has proven effective, even fooling visiting military commanders. History shows that deception in warfare is not new; it has been practiced for centuries, reflecting an enduring tactic that continues to evolve with technology.
In the ongoing conflict, where military technology advances rapidly, the role of decoys remains critical. From inflatable tanks to lifelike dummies, the art of deception is a vital part of warfare that showcases creativity and resourcefulness in the heat of battle.
Almost anything seen on the frontline - from small radars and grenade launchers to jeeps, trucks, tanks and actual soldiers - may be fake. These imitations can come in flat-packs, be inflatable, 2D or create a radar illusion of a tank by reflecting radio waves in a special way. In the case of some weapon types deployed in Ukraine, at least half of them are actually decoy imitations.
Among the most popular decoys used by the Ukrainian army are models of the British-made M777 howitzers. Volunteers play an important role in supplying decoy mock-ups, with groups like Na Chasi producing about 160 models of M777s, taking only minutes to assemble. These decoys not only deceive enemy troops but also save resources, as Russian forces often target them with expensive kamikaze drones.
The techniques employed in deploying decoys range from ensuring realistic positioning with wheel ruts and supplies to quickly replacing actual artillery with decoys after use. This strategic deception has proven effective, even fooling visiting military commanders. History shows that deception in warfare is not new; it has been practiced for centuries, reflecting an enduring tactic that continues to evolve with technology.
In the ongoing conflict, where military technology advances rapidly, the role of decoys remains critical. From inflatable tanks to lifelike dummies, the art of deception is a vital part of warfare that showcases creativity and resourcefulness in the heat of battle.
