The video shows how Russian invisibility cloaks do not cope with Ukrainian drones

Video published by Ukraine 63 brigade shows the so-called Russian “invisibility” raincoats designed for a fool thermal imagingnot providing sufficient camouflage, which made it possible to identify the cloaked soldiers and attack them with targeted drops of ammunition from Ukrainian drones.

“Turtles? zombie? North Korean special forces? No, these are Russians who still believe in the magical power of their anti-drone cloaks,” the caption to the video reads.

The Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time or location of the footage, which is said to contain thermal images obtained from drones showing poorly camouflaged soldiers. Ukrainian drones then began releasing munitions on detected Russian personnel, likely resulting in significant casualties.

As thermal imaging cameras become cheaper and more accessible, Ukraine and Russia are increasingly using them to detect hidden opposition forces.

Spring 2023 Defense Express reported that the Russian military used raincoats with heat-insulating liners in an attempt to reduce their visibility to thermal imaging cameras. One manufacturer reportedly offered these raincoats for $47, while others cost hundreds of dollars.

Other topics of interest

Ruslan Kivan will continue the case of Adnan Kivan as the publisher of the Kyiv Post

Kyiv Post is proud to announce that the tradition of supporting our publication and democracy in Ukraine will be preserved under the leadership of Ruslan Kivan.

Photo: Examples of Russian thermal camouflage suits

Defense Express reported that the cloaks use a multi-layered fabric designed to retain body heat without creating strong thermal contrasts. However, heat dissipation remains a problem.

In April 2023, Ukrainian officer Tatarigami posted on X (formerly Twitter) a message that some Russian servicemen captured or found killed near Avdiyivka in Donetsk region were wearing similar thermal insulation cloaks.

At the end of February, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced the development of its own anti-thermal vision poncho to help Ukrainian forces avoid detection by night vision and infrared (IR) targeting systems.

According to the ministry, five samples of IR-camouflage fabric were tested at the Center for the Absorption of Infrared Radiation and Minimization of Thermal Conductivity.

According to the report, the poncho material needs to be flexible, weatherproof, UV protected and effective in a variety of terrains.

In October last year, Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov introduced a similar “invisibility cloak” for the Armed Forces, designed to protect against Russian thermal imagers. Compact and weighing less than 2.5 kg, it is resistant to rain, snow, fire and high temperatures.

In a demo video, thermal footage showed the effectiveness of the poncho with three figures (one apparently masked) demonstrating reduced visibility.

Kyiv Post military analysts emphasized that some contour visibility remained, but the poncho significantly reduced visibility compared to the regular uniform, making it difficult to detect with the lower-quality thermal imagers common in the field.