Russia Builds ‘Anti-Drone Corridors’ in Kursk - Ukraine Says They Don’t Work (2025)

Russia is building so-called “anti-drone corridors” along the front line in an attempt to protect its forces and equipment from Ukrainian drone attacks, according to Andriy Demchenko, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service.

“Most of them are recorded by border guards within the Kursk Oblast, in particular in the area where the enemy continues its actions to attack the Defense Forces of Ukraine,” Demchenko said on national television.

These corridors are covered with nets to block drones intended to allow equipment to move in safety from attack.

But Demchenko says that despite these efforts, Ukrainian soldiers continue to successfully strike both the equipment and the troops using the corridors.

“Repeatedly, our guys, having already been trained to fly drones, destroy the equipment that moves through these corridors, as well as the groups that man them,” he added.

The concept of net-based defenses gained attention in February when Ukrainian tech specialist Serhii Beskrestnov, known as “Flash,” shared a video showing a 2-kilometer (1.3 mile) long net “tunnel” near Chasiv Yar, in the Donetsk region built by Russian forces.

According to a Russian sapper battalion commander, these nets were placed over exposed roads to stop FPV drones, which may be unable to detect them due to poor analog video quality. Even when spotted, the nets are designed to make it more difficult for drones to reach their targets.

While relatively cheap, the installations require extensive labor and are difficult to build in frontline areas, while in rear zones, they can offer effective protection for equipment and logistics.

Russia began experimenting with the concept in 2023 near Bakhmut, followed by further attempts using industrial fishing nets reported in the Kupiansk area by mid-2024.

Ukrainian forces are also using fishing nets to intercept FPV and Lancet drones which Mykhailo Ardashyn, a serviceman in Ukraine’s Separate Artillery Brigade, speaking to Kyiv Post called a “salvation.”

“It’s quite difficult to intercept a Lancet,” he said. “So, you need some passive security measures.”

He said nets are used to cover both permanent and temporary artillery positions, where they can cause explosive drones to function prematurely and protect personnel. “There have been a lot of drones, and we are constantly looking for more nets,” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Belgorod region, Russian authorities have started covering entire apartment blocks with anti-drone nets. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced in January that 60 buildings in Shebekino would be covered, with more than 40 already completed.

Russian media claims the nets can catch drones and minimize explosive damage, though no hits have yet been recorded on protected buildings.

Photos of the installations circulated on Ukrainian Telegram channels in early April, sparking widespread mockery:

“That’s to protect from infected mosquitoes.”

“Well, that will only protect them from pigeon s*it on the windows.”

“F**ed up Russia and happy pigeons – no need to build a nest.”

“Is this protection? This is just another way to steal money.”

Critics doubt the real effectiveness of the netting, calling it more of a PR stunt or a potential corruption scheme than an actual defense measure.