Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region are using decoy drones made from sewer pipes to force Russian air defenses to waste ammunition, according to Taiga, the commander of a Tor air defense system crew with Russia’s North group of forces.

He said such makeshift aircraft are launched toward Russian positions almost every combat shift. From a distance, they resemble drones, but in reality they are simple empty targets fitted with a propeller. Their purpose is to distract air defense crews and draw fire from missiles that are needed to destroy more serious threats.

Taiga noted that these decoys can often be identified by the way they fly. When the crew is unsure what kind of target is approaching, FPV drones are sent up to inspect it and, if necessary, bring it down. According to the serviceman, having FPV teams deployed near Tor positions makes the job easier, since crews do not have to spend costly missiles on primitive false targets.