UK intelligence explains why Russia launches balloons into Ukraine

The UK Defense Ministry tweeted this in its daily report.

UK intelligence notes that on February 15, the Ukrainian military spotted several balloons with radar reflectors suspended above Kyiv. Later, at least six such objects were reported to have been shot down. In addition, on February 12, balloons were spotted in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region.

UK intelligence suggests that the balloons are evidence of a new tactic by Russia aimed at gaining information about Ukraine's air defense systems and forcing it to spend valuable stockpiles of surface-to-air missiles and ammunition.

The analysts also added that on February 14, a balloon-shaped object was observed, which led to the closure of Moldova's airspace for several hours. It was probably a Russian balloon that took off from Ukrainian airspace.

• On February 14, enemy balloons with angular reflectors, which Russia uses to conduct reconnaissance and distract air defense, were spotted in Ukrainian airspace.