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Coverage dated February 15, 2023

Russian balloons are drifting over Kyiv, likely to fake out its air defenses and force them to waste valuable missiles, Ukraine says

Headline from Insider

The six balloons "could have been carrying corner reflectors and reconnaissance equipment," Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.

Insider's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

5 articles, oldest first.

  1. Insider

    Russian balloons are drifting over Kyiv, likely to fake out its air defenses and force them to waste valuable missiles, Ukraine says (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    The six balloons "could have been carrying corner reflectors and reconnaissance equipment," Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.

  2. Deutsche Welle

    Zelenskyy aide says Russian balloons part of aerial assault (opens Deutsche Welle)

    Published

    Deutsche Welle's feed description

    Ukrainian presidential official Igor Zhovka told DW that Russia is using balloons to exhaust Ukraine's air defenses. He also reiterated calls for fighter jets from the West, and said retaking Crimea is necessary.

  3. NPR

    Ukraine says it shot down 6 Russian balloons that appeared over Kyiv (opens NPR)

    Published

    NPR's feed description

    A spokesman for Ukraine's air force said the balloons had plain metal triangles suspended with string below them, saying that was enough to appear like an incoming missile or drone on radars.

  4. The Daily Caller

    Russia Reportedly Flies Balloons Over Ukraine To Distract Missile Systems (opens The Daily Caller)

    Published

    The Daily Caller's feed description

    The Russian military flew balloons over Ukraine in an apparent attempt to distract Ukrainian missile systems, according to the BBC.

  5. New York Times

    Russian balloons floating over Kyiv were shot down, city officials say. (opens New York Times)

    Published

    New York Times's feed description

    Russia “uses such flying objects for reconnaissance or to confuse air defense systems,” Yuriy Ihnat, the spokesman for the Ukrainian air force,