Russian forces recently claimed to have successfully targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) in the Sumy region using an Iskander-M mobile ballistic missile.
However, it has since emerged that the “destroyed” M270 was, in fact, a sophisticated decoy manufactured by the Czech company Inflatech.
The decoy, designed to mimic the appearance and thermal signature of an actual M270 MLRS, is constructed from synthetic silk and embedded with metal fibers. These fibers allow the decoy to generate a radar image identical to that of the real vehicle, effectively deceiving advanced detection systems. The decoy’s construction is also highly resilient, with the ability to maintain its shape and functionality even if punctured by holes up to 20 centimeters in diameter.
According to Russian reports, the M270 was supposedly identified by a reconnaissance unit near the town of Bezdryk in the Sumy region. The position of the MLRS was then targeted by an Iskander missile strike, a claim that was initially celebrated by Russian military channels as a significant victory. The footage purportedly showing the destruction of the M270 was shared widely on social media, with Russian sources highlighting it as evidence of the effectiveness of their missile capabilities.
The #Russians claimed yesterday that they hit and and destroyed a #Ukrainian M270 MLRS in #Sumy oblast. Today it turned out that it was a #Czech-made decoy from Inflatech.
The torso of the decoy is made of synthetic silk, they radiate heat exactly… pic.twitter.com/Ct4r98q3DR
— (@praisethesteph) August 18, 2024
“The footage shows the destruction of the M270 MLRS multiple launch rocket system in Sumy region. The reconnaissance unit in the area of the settlement of Bezdryk in Sumy region identified the position of M270 MLRS. According to the identified firing position of the MLRS, supplied by NATO countries, a missile strike was launched by the Iskander OTRK calculation,” read a statement from the Russian defense department’s Telegram channel.
Russian Iskander destroys an inflatable M270 MLRS decoy 6 km from Suji Kursk region pic.twitter.com/InN88AGR6X
— Slava (@Heroiam_Slava) August 18, 2024
However, the revelation that the target was a decoy, not a real MLRS, underscores the challenges and complexities of modern warfare, where deception and countermeasures play a critical role. The Inflatech decoy, which radiates heat in precisely the locations where a real motor would, managed to fool Russian thermal cameras and advanced targeting systems, leading to the misidentification and subsequent missile strike.
Decoys like the one used in this instance are becoming an increasingly valuable tool in Ukraine’s defense strategy, allowing Ukrainian forces to protect their valuable military assets while drawing enemy fire toward harmless targets.
