Denmark sends 400 'ghost soldiers' to Ukraine to deceive Russian forces

Denmark is deploying a unique strategy to aid Ukraine's defense against Russia by sending hundreds of lifelike dummies, dubbed "ghost soldiers," to the front lines. Manufactured by the Danish company Scandic Defence, these dummies are designed to be as realistic as possible to confuse Russian forces. They are constructed with padding and heating panels, allowing them to emit thermal signatures that closely resemble those of human soldiers when viewed through thermal cameras. "They are meant to mislead the enemy," stated Martin Thisted Larsen, co-owner of Scandic Defence, in an interview with TV2. The primary objective of these "ghost soldiers" is to cause Russia to expend valuable drones and ammunition on non-existent targets. "It's about ensuring no lives are lost. It's terrible what all Ukrainians are suffering," Larsen added, highlighting the humanitarian aspect of the initiative. The first 400 dummies are already en route to the field, with plans for many more, as the Ukrainian intelligence service estimates that such decoys will be destroyed within two to three days of deployment. The concept originated from an unexpected phone call to Scandic Defence from an electrician in Jutland who had an idea for deceiving drones. The electrician sent a paper prototype, and Scandic Defence, which also produces body armor, quickly partnered with Ukrainian intelligence. Prototypes were successfully tested in the field. Beyond acting as decoys for drone and ammunition attacks, the "ghost soldiers" will also serve as a diversionary tactic. "They can mislead the enemy into believing a major offensive is underway somewhere, prompting them to mobilize their forces elsewhere," Larsen explained. The dummies are produced in a secret location for security reasons, but the Ukrainian intelligence service encourages the spread of news about this new strategy. "The intelligence service has asked us to make as much noise as possible. The more we can talk about it, the better," Larsen said, believing that creating doubt among the enemy is a key benefit.

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They are meant to mislead the enemy.