Putin Using Spy Balloons To Turn War In Russia's Favour

Kyiv says objects are used to impede defences ahead of attack

- Kim Sengupta

The balloons moved slowly across the blue sky on a quiet and sunny winter's day when missiles suddenly streaked in and struck them down. The two white balloons over a village near Kyiv are among six the Ukrainian military says they have shot down in the last few days amid a marked increase in Russian air activity.

The balloons come as reports emerge that the Kremlin is massing warplanes across the border as the first anniversary of the war approaches. The objects are the latest in a wave of Russian attempts to gather intelligence, and to both deplete Ukrainian air defences and impede the use of warplanes.

Villagers watched as the debris floated down on surrounding fields: The Independent, present in the area when recovery was taking place, was requested not to publicise the exact location for security reasons. Nato analysts, along with the Ukrainians, want to examine the wreckage, we have been told.