Russian military forces have once again been tricked by Ukrainian decoys, wasting an expensive Krasnopol missile on a fake artillery target. This incident highlights the effectiveness of Ukrainian tactics in their ongoing defense efforts.
High-Cost Missiles vs. Low-Cost Decoys
According to Tech the Russian army recently targeted a decoy of a towed M777 howitzer, a replica that cost only about $1,000 to produce, with a Krasnopol missile valued at approximately $40,000. This disparity in cost underscores the financial inefficiency of the Russian response to Ukrainian deceptive strategies.
Both sides of the conflict have employed the use of military decoys, but the Ukrainians have particularly mastered the art of creating high-quality replicas that closely resemble genuine military hardware. These decoys have successfully lured Russian missiles and drones away from real targets. Examples include mock-ups of the HIMARS rocket system, the M1097 Avenger air defense system, and the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar. These realistic replicas have consistently fooled Russian forces into wasting valuable munitions on non-existent threats.
Not the First Time
A recent report from Military News UA on platform X revealed that Ukrainian soldiers had showcased a destroyed decoy of a 155mm M777 howitzer, which had been hit by a precision-guided Krasnopol missile. This was not the first time Russian forces had been misled into attacking a decoy, further highlighting the success of this defensive tactic.
The 30F39 Krasnopol is a laser-guided artillery shell with a high accuracy rate, capable of hitting targets with a 95% probability at speeds up to 36 km/h. It has a range of 20 to 25 km depending on the variant, and its warhead weighs approximately 10.5 kg, with 6.6 kg of explosive material.
In contrast, the M777 howitzer, whose decoy was targeted, is a significant piece of artillery used by the Ukrainian forces, notably supplied by Estonia in 2023. The original M777, designed by the British for the US military, is known for its lightweight and transportability, crucial for rapid deployment. It can fire projectiles up to 30 km, and with enhanced ammunition, up to 40 km.
