Ukraine announced on Wednesday February 15 that it had shot down several “
balloons
” sent by Russia to test its anti-aircraft defense systems in Kiev, in full international awareness of the use of these spy objects.
“
According to preliminary information, half a dozen aerial objects were detected in Kyiv airspace (...).
These were balloons that move under the influence of the wind
,” said the regional military administration of the Ukrainian capital.
Activation of anti-aircraft sirens
"
It is possible that these objects carried reflective systems and some spy equipment
," added the same source, assuring that "
most
" of the balloons had been shot down.
The presence of these flying objects caused anti-aircraft sirens to go off in the Ukrainian capital, which usually happens when missiles approach.
The authorities will collect the debris of the destroyed objects to analyze them, specified the regional military administration of Kiev, which suspects Russia of sending these balloons to activate the anti-aircraft defense systems and locate them.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Air Force had estimated for its part that the Russians were trying to push the Ukrainian forces to “
waste (their) resources, including anti-aircraft missiles, on these objects which cost almost nothing
”.
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"
It's an ordinary gas-filled balloon
" with "
a reflector and radar attached to a string
," an Air Force spokesman said.
"
But it's still an air target and the air defense systems are forced to respond
."
Moscow did not comment on these statements immediately.
Since the start of the war almost a year ago, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly reported Russian balloons drifting in their airspace.
On Tuesday, neighboring Moldova temporarily closed its airspace due to the presence of a "
flying object resembling a weather balloon
", amid heightened tensions with Moscow.
The use of balloons for espionage purposes, although old, has come under particular scrutiny since the United States claimed in early February to have shot down a Chinese balloon equipped, according to Washington, with equipment of surveillance.
Beijing has denied any espionage.