this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2025
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Manufacturing Consent
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No literal cardboard and foam.
I should have been more clear that I object to these being called “decoys” because they are clearly functioning drones, just made out of junk.
All except possibly one of them had no explosives on board.
Which means they are capable of carrying explosives and that couldn’t have been known if they were or weren’t before being shot down. It’s possible I don’t know the technical definition of “decoy” but that sure doesn’t fit the description to me from a layman’s understanding.
Decoy means they are designed to waste Ukrainian anti air rockets and munitions by having them believe they are explosive drones. It's literally what a decoy drone is. That is why they are shaped similar to the Shahed so people cannot tell the difference from afar.
Perhaps I’m conflating “decoy” and “dummy”. But if one of the drones had real, actual explosives in it I don’t see how it’s a waste of resources to defend yourself from them.
Or am I misunderstanding what you mean when you say there were explosives found. Is the point that these drones, even if carrying explosives, we’re not actually capable of detonation?
I read rumors one single drone allegedly held a small amount of explosives (like 4pounds/2kg). I'm not sure if this was actually confirmed.
Actual Shaheds can carry 100pounds/50kg of explosives.
These Gerbera drones are not a more cost effective way of delivering explosives beacuse they also require a motor and other hardware. They are meant to deplete air defenses.