Russia’s Defense Ministry has announced the destruction of 70 Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jets, surpassing Ukraine’s pre-war fleet. However, it has come to light that some of these claims are misleading, as the destroyed equipment is actually dummy targets and decoys. Oleksandr Myronenko, operational director of the Metinvest Group, explained in an interview that the purpose of these fake weapons is to deceive enemy forces. The production of these decoys started over a year ago, with the military approaching Metinvest with their requirements. Together, they have been able to perfect the design and construction of these decoys, making them nearly indistinguishable from the real weapons. These decoys have been successful in fooling the enemy and causing them to waste valuable ammunition on fake targets. The main products currently being produced include Soviet-era howitzers and radar stations, as well as U.S. M777 howitzers. The production team consists of specialists who have experience working with metallurgy, making them well-suited for this task. The orders for these decoys come directly from the military units on the front lines, ensuring the production remains secretive and secure. Metinvest also produces other items to support the troops, including mine rollers, shelters, and drones. The demand for mine rollers is high, with potentially hundreds needed, and Metinvest is currently able to produce five rollers per month.
Expert Interview: Uncovering Ukraine’s Tactical Deception Tactics Foiling Russian Troops
