Unit specializing in deploying 'sacrificial' troops for Russian equipment

The 45th Independent Camouflage Engineer Regiment specializes in creating life-size weapon models to deceive the enemy.

Model of a Russian T-72 tank and ballistic missile launcher. Photo: Vitaly Kuzmin.

During World War II, the Allies used various inflatable models to fool Nazi reconnaissance forces. The practice of deploying fake weapons to confuse and confuse the enemy is still used by many countries today, including Russia, according to War Is Boring.

One of the Russian military's current inflatable model-operating forces is the 45th Separate Camouflage-Engineering Regiment, based in the western part of Moscow Oblast. This unit is equipped with a wide range of models, from main battle tanks to missile launchers and fighter jets. Its combat characteristics have earned the 45th Regiment the nickname "Russia's Inflatable Army".

"It takes just a few minutes for soldiers to deploy the inflatable model, and they can even create a fake airfield right on the battlefield," a Russian defense official said. The US Army's Foreign Military Studies Office said that the Russian inflatable model not only has the ability to simulate the shape of real equipment, but is also equipped with many devices to create thermal and electronic signatures no different from a conventional unit.

The main task of the inflatable army is to deceive and deceive a series of reconnaissance systems. The enemy will spend a lot of resources to monitor all the equipment appearing on the battlefield, instead of focusing on real units. In addition, the appearance of the inflatable army can force the enemy to change the tactics of each battle, affecting the outcome of the entire campaign.

Model of S-300 air defense missile launcher. Photo: Vitaly Kuzmin.

In addition, the inflatable army also serves as a substitute for real weapons in case of attack. An inflatable tank or plane made from rubber costs about $16,000, but can both cause the enemy to waste bombs and smart missiles worthtens of thousands of dollars, while protecting real weapons worth millions of dollars.

According to VNE