Fishing nets are being repurposed in Ukraine to intercept Russian drones rather than catch fish. These nets are strategically placed over roads leading to critical areas on the eastern front, above military checkpoints and artillery positions.
Constructed in cities far from the front lines or shipped from Nordic ports, these nets are donated by fishermen who no longer require them. Their primary function is to counter the increasing threat posed by Russian drones, which are capable of targeting various military assets, including armored vehicles and soldiers.
The dense mesh of the nets can entangle drone propellers, effectively immobilizing them. This method serves as a straightforward yet effective countermeasure against drones that are often too swift to be shot down and can penetrate deep into Ukrainian territory to disrupt supply routes.
In response to the evolving drone warfare, Russia has begun utilizing drones connected by fiber-optic cables, making them resistant to jamming techniques commonly employed on the battlefield. The nets have emerged as one of the few viable options for intercepting these drones before they can inflict damage.
According to Lt. Col. Maksym Kravchuk, head of communications for the Ukrainian Army’s engineering forces, military engineers have recognized that even standard fishing nets can effectively stop or damage enemy drones. He noted that nets are now being deployed along the entire front line, from east to south.
Initially, Moscow employed nets in a limited capacity in mid-2023 to counter small Ukrainian quadcopters. Reports indicated that Russian forces had begun installing fishing nets over roads in occupied northeastern Ukraine, with verified footage showing nets outside Bakhmut, a city captured by Russian forces in 2023.
As Russia advanced in drone technology, the Ukrainian Army adopted similar tactics, planning to establish net corridors along key roads to enhance vehicle safety. This initiative is gradually transforming the frontline landscape, with roads now adorned with nets suspended from poles, creating a translucent tunnel effect for vehicles.
Additionally, military vehicles have been modified with nets and chain-link cages designed to cause drones to explode at a safe distance, thereby reducing potential damage. This approach highlights a notable aspect of the conflict, where traditional defensive measures are being employed against advanced weaponry.
Some Ukrainian units continue to utilize World War II-era machine guns to target drones, while local officials in frontline cities have encouraged residents to carry scissors to cut fiber-optic cables connected to drones. This blend of old and new tactics exemplifies the unique nature of the ongoing conflict.
In recent months, net corridors have been constructed in regions such as Sumy and Donetsk, although the total length of installed nets remains uncertain. As Russian drones increasingly penetrate deeper into Ukraine, they have targeted vital access roads, including the main route into Kostiantynivka.
To safeguard this crucial supply line, Ukrainian forces have begun erecting a large net corridor over a section of the road. Servicemen have been actively preparing the area by digging holes for poles and deploying large rolls of netting.
With the need for extensive coverage, Kyiv is seeking assistance from charities to acquire additional nets. The Swedish nonprofit group OperationChange has already supplied 250 metric tons of nets this year, sourced from partners in Nordic countries with significant fishing industries.
According to Ludvig Ramestam, a founder of OperationChange, the organization aims to give these nets a second life, humorously noting their goal to “empty the harbors.”