Ukrainian military units are increasingly using air balloons, or aerostats, a French Revolution-era technology, as a low-cost tool on the battlefield for strike support and more, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Kyiv reportedly began using balloons soon after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, initially deploying them to drop grenades and carry radar-reflective payloads designed to mimic aircraft, helping to draw out and exhaust Russian air defenses.
Their role later expanded, and balloons have also been used as launch platforms for small autonomous strike drones that can travel to pre-set targets after release.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the systems allow Ukraine to conduct strikes far beyond the front line.
Balloons have reportedly been used in operations targeting Russian infrastructure such as oil refineries, transport facilities, and other sites deep inside the enemy’s territory, and in some cases to deliver attack drones toward cities including Moscow and Ryazan.
Aerostats Applications
Ukrainian forces are also using balloon-based systems to support reconnaissance and battlefield communications.
One of the companies supplying these systems is the Ukrainian firm Aerobavovna, which produces tethered aerostats designed for persistent surveillance and battlefield support.
Aerobavovna-made balloons can monitor territory within roughly 6 miles (10 kilometers) and transmit real-time imagery and intelligence.
Operating at altitudes of up to about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer), they can also help extend communications coverage, in some cases reaching up to 62 miles (100 kilometers).
Additionally, the aerostats can carry electronic warfare payloads, including systems capable of intercepting and analyzing communications and radar emissions.
They are built to continue operating even in GPS-denied or signal-jammed environments, helping maintain situational awareness and connectivity during combat or rescue missions.
Moreover, Ukrainian forces are also deploying radiosonde-equipped balloons to collect meteorological data used to refine targeting.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine’s information agency, dedicated meteorological teams deploy these systems to gather atmospheric data up to about 25 miles (40 kilometers) above the ground.
The measurements are used to adjust firing solutions for artillery and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System strikes, as well as to support drone operations.
