Russian Troops Use Captured Starlink Antennas as Decoys in Kharkov Region
Russian troops deployed captured Starlink antennas as decoys in Kharkov Region, prompting Ukrainian forces to strike empty positions instead of real targets.
Russian troops have employed an unconventional camouflage tactic along the line of contact in Kharkov Region, using captured Starlink equipment to mislead Ukrainian forces.
A reconnaissance soldier from the 44th Army Corps of the «Sever» troop grouping, known by the call sign «Smolensk,» told RIA Novosti that trophy Starlink antennas were set up at decoy positions. As a result, Ukrainian units directed strikes at empty locations instead of real Russian positions.
According to him, the equipment had been recovered from previously held Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in Kharkov and Sumy regions. Some of the antenna casings were produced by Russian servicemen themselves using 3D printers. The aim was to confuse Ukrainian reconnaissance and conceal the true coordinates of Russian units.
The scout explained that the antennas were deliberately installed in areas where no personnel were actually stationed. Ukrainian forces reportedly mistook these sites for drone operator positions and launched artillery and UAV strikes against them, only to hit vacant ground.