Decoy Drones Without Warheads, Radar Jamming
"Half of Over 2,000 Russian Drones Are Decoys"
On the 11th (local time), the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) released an image of a Russian 'Decoy drone'. Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate Telegram
As Russian forces gathered troops alongside North Korean soldiers deployed to reclaim the Kursk region, they launched a large-scale drone attack across Ukraine. It is reported that over 1,000 'decoy drones' were deployed specifically to disrupt Ukraine's air defense systems. It is expected that a massive offensive will continue until January next year, before former President Donald Trump takes office, to capture as much territory as possible.
Russian 'Decoy Drones' Fell in Moldova... Over 1,000 Deployed Since Last Month
On the 10th (local time), a Russian decoy drone that fell in the border area between Moldova and Ukraine. Ukrainian Military Intelligence Telegram
On the 11th (local time), Ukraine's Defense Ministry Military Intelligence Directorate (HUR) stated via Telegram, "Russia launched a large-scale drone attack with 145 drones the previous day, most of which were decoy drones aimed at paralyzing Ukraine's air defense. Of these, 62 were shot down." They added, "Since last month, Russia has attacked various parts of Ukraine with over 2,000 drones, more than half of which were decoy drones." Furthermore, they revealed, "Two of the downed decoy drones fell in neighboring Moldova."
Moldovan authorities also reported finding two Russian decoy drones near the border with Ukraine. Mihai Popsoi, Moldova's Foreign Minister, stated on social media, "Two Russian decoy drones used to paralyze Ukraine's air defense crashed in Moldova today, threatening the lives of Moldovan citizens and violating our airspace." He strongly condemned Russia, saying, "We firmly denounce this aggressive invasion and repeatedly condemn Russia's brutal war against Ukraine."
The drones were crudely made with wooden bodies and lacked warheads. HUR noted, "Various drone components such as microcontrollers, antennas, and transceivers manufactured in the United States, Taiwan, and Switzerland were found in these drones." They pointed out, "Despite extensive international sanctions, Western products are still commonly found in Russian missiles and drones."
Fighting Expected to Intensify Before Trump's Inauguration... Kursk Reclamation Battle to Begin in Earnest
The expansion of Russia's drone attacks is interpreted as a prelude to a large-scale counteroffensive by Russian forces. Analysts believe that before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January next year, Russia will engage in fiercer counterattacks to gain a favorable position in negotiations with Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on his Telegram account that "Ukrainian forces are currently engaged in combat with approximately 50,000 enemy troops in Russia's Kursk region," adding, "Fierce battles are also ongoing in eastern Ukraine's Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, prompting a significant reinforcement of Ukrainian military strength."
Meanwhile, CNN reported that Russia has assembled a force of about 50,000 troops, including North Korean soldiers deployed for the Kursk reclamation operation. After training in the western Kursk area, North Korean troops reportedly received military equipment such as machine guns, sniper rifles, and anti-tank missiles. CNN noted that as Russian and North Korean forces finalize preparations for a counterattack, drone attacks of a preliminary offensive nature are intensifying.
Since peace negotiations are likely to begin in earnest after Trump's inauguration, it is anticipated that both armies will deploy all their forces to seize more territory beforehand. On the 6th, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing sources, reported that Trump's close aides are considering a peace plan that would delay Ukraine's NATO membership by at least 20 years and establish a demilitarized zone along the current 1,200 km front line. If this peace plan is accepted as is, Russia would effectively control more than 20% of the Ukrainian territory it currently occupies.
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