Russia Has Managed to Make Its Combat Drones Fly Higher. Ukraine Found a Solution in North Korea: Balloons

The war in Ukraine has elevated the importance of drones in the conflict, establishing the nation as a leader in the industry. However, Russia isn’t far behind. The air conflict has entered a new critical phase, marked by the technical evolution of Moscow’s attack drones. Ukraine’s tactic to maintain its unmanned army is a simple one that North Korea has used against its neighbors: hot air balloons.

A new threat. Russia is reinforcing its air battle with drones flying faster and higher than ever. This makes them increasingly difficult to intercept with the resources available to Ukrainian defense units.

Over the weekend, Oleksiy, deputy commander of a mobile air defense unit of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces, told Business Insider that traditional trucks equipped with mounted machine guns are ineffective against these targets—especially at altitudes above 7,870 feet, which exceed the range of the .50-caliber weapons typically used on these missions, such as the M2 Browning.

The evolution of the Shahed-136 continues. The primary weapon in the Russian air offensive is the Shahed-136, an Iranian-designed kamikaze drone that Moscow manufactures locally. Originally designed to fly at over 115 miles per hour with an explosive payload of about 88 pounds, these drones are more economical than cruise missiles, allowing Russia to deploy them in massive attacks.

However, Moscow has begun using a modified version of the Shahed equipped with a more powerful engine. This version can reach 180 miles per hour and carry more than twice the initial explosive payload. According to Oleksiy, this boost in speed and destructive capacity complicates defense efforts. Although conventional models remain in use, the newer ones pose a greater threat.

Decoys and saturation. Another key tactic is the systematic use of decoy drones without explosive payloads. These drones don’t aim to cause direct damage but rather to deplete the resources of Ukrainian air defenses. They accurately mimic armed drones, forcing defensive units to expend ammunition or missiles on false targets.

Additionally, they can conduct long-range reconnaissance missions, expanding Russian intelligence capabilities. The result is an overload of surveillance systems and decreased interception rates, since mobile units can only observe and report without any effective means of responding immediately to high-altitude drones.

The altitude challenge. Drones used to fly at low altitudes to avoid radar detection. Now, they fly at heights that exceed the response capacity of mobile machine guns, rendering them unreachable.

According to Oleksiy, the solution involves reinforcing these units with portable air defense systems known as man-portable air defense systems. Examples include the U.S. FIM-92 Stinger and the Soviet 9K38 Igla. These systems are designed to intercept low-altitude aircraft but can also work against drones in certain conditions. However, two problems remain: These systems are in short supply, and not all operators have received adequate training.

Enter balloons. Ukraine has suddenly begun using a tactic that the two Koreas have employed for some time: hot air balloons. However, Ukraine’s approach comes with a twist. In a conflict defined by air dominance and intensive drone use, Ukraine relies on an ingenious, inexpensive, and effective solution to overcome communication challenges on the modern battlefield: helium balloons equipped with radio repeaters.

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Aerobavovna, a Ukrainian startup founded in 2024, developed this unexpected tool. The company has significantly enhanced the operational capabilities of drones—both ground-based and aerial—by extending their range and maintaining stable signals in environments saturated with interference and topographical obstacles.

How they work and what they solve. The system is as simple as it is revolutionary. Balloons made from lightweight polymers are anchored to the ground and can rise to 0.6 miles high. They carry antennas and repeaters that serve as aerial bridges for communication between operators and drones. This addresses one of the most common problems in mountainous or urban areas: losing line of sight, which interrupts the signal and renders the drone useless.

According to Yuriy Vysoven, founder of Aerobavovna, in an interview with Business Insider, this problem is particularly critical for land-based drones, whose point-to-point signals can’t clear the first hill. With balloons, operators can maintain control even in hostile environments, extending the effectiveness of reconnaissance, attack, and surveillance missions.

Agile deployment and evolution. Although aerostats aren’t new technology, Aerobavovna has redesigned their military application to meet the demands of the Ukrainian front. Current models can be deployed in as little as five minutes—or 25 minutes in adverse conditions—and stay aloft for up to seven consecutive days with a payload capacity of up to 55 pounds.

This capability allows them to transmit control signals for FPV drones and operate from an elevated position, eliminating the need for towers or fixed infrastructure. The company has developed an advanced version that can carry up to 66 pounds, opening the door to airborne deployment of more powerful electronic warfare systems without sacrificing mobility or speed.

The challenges are precision and stability. Despite success in the field, Aerobavovna faces major technical challenges—mainly related to the aerostat’s stability in windy conditions. Precise antenna orientation is critical for FPV signal transmission, and uncontrolled movement could compromise the entire operation.

Air turbulence affects the positioning of repeaters, which must remain motionless and aligned to avoid signal degradation. That makes stability a top priority, especially when expanding capabilities with heavier payloads.

The production problem. This remains the major drawback. Aerobavovna currently produces between 10 and 20 balloons per month and has deployed around 50 along the Ukrainian front. However, its growth potential is limited by a lack of funding. Although the company has received investment proposals totaling about $40 million, Vysoven believes the amount isn’t enough to scale up production.

Decisive strategies. In a conflict marked by asymmetrical technological advances, where Russia launches swarms of fast drones and employs sophisticated electronic warfare systems to block signals, Ukraine’s commitment to agile, inexpensive, and creative solutions shows intelligent resistance.

Aerobavovna’s balloons are the latest advance, extending drone range and decentralizing communication infrastructure. This adds resilience to Ukraine’s defensive strategy. Rather than compete with Russia in scale or spending, Ukraine is competing on ingenuity. In a war where every inch of advantage matters, a balloon floating a thousand feet above the ground can make the difference between losing contact and completing a critical mission.

Image | Aerobavovna

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