French Fishing Nets Provide Unexpected Defense Against Russian Drones in Ukraine
French fishing nets, originally designed for deep-sea use, have emerged as an unexpected defensive tool in Ukraine, aimed at countering Russian drones that target civilians and military positions.
The charity Kernic Solidarités, based in Brittany, France, has dispatched two shipments of nets totaling 280 kilometers to Ukraine. These nets are intended to protect both soldiers and civilians along the front lines, where combat is particularly fierce, according to The Guardian.
This initiative comes at a time when Russia is deploying small, inexpensive drones equipped with explosives, capable of being guided remotely up to 25 kilometers.
In contrast, the French nets are employed to create "tangled tunnels" that ensnare drone propellers, thereby diminishing their effectiveness and reducing the threat they pose.
Christian Abazio, the logistics manager for the organization, noted that the nets, made from horsehair, were initially intended for monkfish fishing offshore, stating that they "strike with a force comparable to that of a drone."
He added that the nets were first used by medical personnel to protect field hospitals near the front lines, but are now being deployed on roads, bridges, and hospital entrances, emphasizing, "It is surprising how effective something so simple can be."
Irina Ribakova, the communications officer for the Ukrainian 93rd Brigade, mentioned that tangled tunnels are being installed across the Donetsk region, stressing that the nets are not a "magic solution" but rather one component of a broader defense strategy against drones.
She noted that Russian drone operators are continually finding innovative ways to breach these entangled barriers, necessitating ongoing updates to defensive measures.
In a show of solidarity, fishermen from Sweden and Denmark have rushed to donate hundreds of tons of old nets to Ukraine, supporting both the military and civilian populations.
Statistics indicate that Ukraine was facing over 500 drone attacks daily as of July 2025, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions like tangled nets.
