The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen the use of creative deception tactics by both sides to gain an advantage. One such tactic is the painting of fake planes on military runways, which can fool enemy drones into thinking that they are targeting real aircraft.
Satellite images have become increasingly important in monitoring ground activities in complex war scenarios. However, these images can be misleading as reality can be altered through covering up or painting. In recent years, vertical camouflage techniques have been used at Russian military bases to create a painted illusion of aircraft on tarmacs resembling Sukhoi fighter jets and Tu-95 bombers. These bases were targeted by Ukrainian drones in April 2023, resulting in damage to Russian aircraft. It remains unclear whether the jets were actually hit or if it was just part of the painted design.
This practice, known as “Maskirovka” in Russian military doctrine, is not a new technique for concealing intentions, capabilities or positions from enemies. Both Russia and Ukraine employ deceptive tactics like using dummy targets and inflatable weapons to mislead their opponents. Historically, strategic deception has played a major role in military operations like Operation Fortitude during World War II, where these tactics aimed to confuse and mislead the enemy about the location and strength of forces.
Despite advancements in targeting systems, this cost-effective method of creating fake planes continues to be used by both sides in the conflict as a strategic deception tactic. As technology evolves so too do these tactics become more sophisticated but ultimately they serve to create confusion and mislead the enemy about the true intentions of each side.
In conclusion, while technology has advanced significantly over time, there will always be a need for strategic deception tactics like painting fake planes on runways to gain an advantage over enemies in warfare.