holding up a net that, it is hoped, will offer protection against the long-range strikes that have badly damaged energy infrastructure and other key targets deep inside Russia. The balloons are designed to launch from hangars, rise quickly in a row and then drop a 250m-tall net to form a defensive cordon. Russia plans to build a network of barrage balloons inspired by the First and Second World Wars to thwart Ukraine’s daring drone attacks. Is Russia short of Options?

