Russian fleet stretched 'mosquito net' against Ukrainian drones: photo caused a wave of mockery
On a Russian landing ship, strange protection from drones was spotted, which experts called a symbol of fear of new Ukrainian attacks
22 June 2026, 08:16
Author: Kravtsev Sergey
The Russian Navy demonstrated an unusual way to protect ships from Ukrainian drones. In the Baltic Sea, the large landing ship "Alexander Shabalin" was photographed with its superstructure covered in a thin green mesh, resembling an ordinary garden or even mosquito net.
Ship of the Baltic Fleet "Alexander Shabalin"
The photo quickly spread on social media and sparked lively discussion even among Russian military bloggers. Many commentators questioned the effectiveness of such protection, noting that it is unlikely to stop modern attack drones actively used by Ukraine to strike Russian military facilities.
However, analysts believe that the very appearance of such structures is telling. Over the past year, protective nets have begun to be installed not only on surface ships but also on submarines of various Russian fleets – from the Black Sea to the Far East. Recently, similar structures were even spotted at the base of strategic nuclear submarines in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of kilometers from the Ukrainian front.
Experts note that such nets may create certain difficulties for the smallest FPV drones with small warheads. However, they are virtually powerless against large attack drones or sea drones. Moreover, Ukrainian operators have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to navigate drones through narrow openings and complex obstacles.
According to observers, the main significance of this improvised protection system is not so much in the physical safety of the ships as in the psychological effect. The very fact that Russian sailors began to cover warships with such structures even in relatively safe areas of the Baltic Sea indicates a fundamental change in perceptions of threats in the modern naval theater of operations.
Analysts conclude: Ukrainian drones forced the Russian fleet to seek protection where they had not even thought about it until recently.
Source: https://defence-blog.com/russias-warship-put-garden-mesh-on-its-hull-to-stop-drones/
Tags: war in Ukraine, Russian Navy, drones
