A Russian decoy drone was engaged by Ukrainian air defenses over Kyiv today, close to where President Volodymyr Zelensky was meeting British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies. The drone’s presence further underscores the threat posed to Ukraine by long-range Russian uncrewed aerial vehicles, including unarmed ones intended to stimulate and confuse Ukrainian air defenses. The incident also coincided with Starmer announcing that the United Kingdom would provide Kyiv with additional mobile air defense systems, of undisclosed type.

The drone, apparently a Russian Parodiya decoy type, was seen above the Mariinskyi Palace, the presidential residence on the right bank of the Dnipro River. Multiple accounts state that local air defenses tried to bring the drone down and detonations could be heard. At least one account suggests a drone was brought down, adding that, according to eyewitnesses, there were at least two drones over the capital.

City officials said there had been no casualties from the incident, but that falling debris had damaged a car, also suggesting at least one drone was shot down or badly damaged.

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The Parodiya is among a number of different types of Russian decoy drones that have begun to appear in increasing numbers in the conflict in recent months. These also include the Gerbera drone, which seems to be used primarily in support of attacks by Geran/Shahed-series long-range one-way attack drones.

Looking at the Parodiya specifically, this is a relatively simple decoy drone, of mainly lightweight wooden construction, albeit still offering long range. It is powered by a piston engine driving a propeller in the nose. Like the Gerbera, the Parodiya is reportedly primarily intended to mimic the Geran/Shahed attack drones, using a radar-reflective Luneburg lens for this purpose.

In this way, the decoy will appear to Ukrainian air defenses as if it’s an attack drone, prompting them to try and engage it and increasing the likelihood that attack drones will make it to their target. Even if no attack drones are present, these decoys can suck up hugely valuable interceptors which are prized and not easily replenished. A drone like this that cost maybe $10k can be brought down by a missile that costs $1M at least, leaving less of them for real threats.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the Parodiya also contains a significant number of components produced by Western companies, which has been a recurring motif in Russian high-end weapons. Other components in the drone were sourced from China, the GUR claims.

In November last year, Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat told CNN that the Parodiya and other types of decoy drones accounted for up to half of all drones used by Russia in its large-scale attacks on Ukraine.

The sound of anti-aircraft fire over Kyiv today was highly symbolic, as Zelensky and Starmer met ahead of a press conference at the presidential palace. This was the U.K. prime minister’s first official trip to Ukraine since taking office.

Starmer said the drone was a reminder of what Ukrainians experienced every day. “It makes it real for us,” he said. “It’s an everyday threat Ukraine is facing with incredible resolve and determination.”

While it’s unclear whether the Parodiya was accompanied by attack drones, today’s incident over Kyiv is not the first possible close call during a visit to Ukraine by a Western leader.

In March last year, we reported on how President Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis were in the vicinity of a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa. The Greek prime minister later described the incident as “intense.” The timing, location, and weapon used in the strike led some to suggest that it was a decapitation attempt by Russia.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Odesa came under attack from Russian Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), one of which may have landed as close as 220 yards from the two leaders.

Russia may have even timed the use of these non-lethal drones to coincide with the Prime Minster’s visit.

Returning to today’s events, the drone incident came as Starmer announced a “closer than ever” partnership with Ukraine, a statement of commitment that comes just days before Donald Trump returns to the White House, bringing uncertainty about the nature of future U.S. military support to Ukraine.

Today, the Ukrainian and British leaders announced a new defense partnership including additional military assistance for Ukraine.

“The power of our long-term friendships [must not be] underestimated. Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our plan for change,” Starmer said.

There have been reports that the two leaders may have also discussed the possibility of British troops being deployed in Ukraine as part of a postwar peacekeeping force. Accounts in the British media today suggested that this might be one of several options being discussed that would involve British and French soldiers being sent to Ukraine following a potential peace deal.

The United Kingdom has been at the forefront of delivering military aid to Ukraine, especially when it comes to weapons that were previously considered ‘off the table’ due to their assumed potential for escalating tensions between Russia and the West.

The United Kingdom was quick to send shoulder-launched anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine and was the first to announce it would begin training Ukrainian pilots to operate modern NATO-standard fighter jets.

When, in 2023, the United Kingdom said it would send 14 of its Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine, it kickstarted a broader international effort to get similar equipment to Ukraine, with the British tanks being followed by German-made Leopard 2s and U.S.-made M1 Abrams.

Perhaps most prominently, the United Kingdom has supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles, which have been used in multiple high-profile attacks on Russian targets both in occupied Ukraine and, more recently, within Russia’s own borders, in the Kursk region.

The next tranche of British military support for Kyiv will include undisclosed mobile air defense systems, additional training for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as 150 artillery barrels. This is part of a wider pledge to provide £3 billion (around $3.67 billion) of British support a year, to be continued indefinitely.

Whatever comes next for Ukraine, British military support looks to be a given for the time being.

With new air defense systems now headed from the United Kingdom to Ukraine, the drone incident over Kyiv today was a very timely reminder of the continued threat from Russian attacks of this kind, and the continued need for air defense equipment, a demand that is only further driven by the growing presence of decoy drones like the Parodiya.

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