DECOY PROGRAM
Spirit of America’s decoy program in Ukraine has been highly effective and is transforming modern battlefield strategy, delivering outsized impact at a fraction of the cost while protecting lives and critical assets.
We do this by supporting Ukrainian manufacturers to build realistic decoys of high-value military equipment — such as air defense systems, artillery, armored vehicles, radars, electronic warfare systems, and aircraft — so that enemy strikes target decoys instead of real military assets. These decoys are designed to look convincing to modern surveillance and drone systems, making them far more effective than traditional inflatable versions.
The decoy program is helping the Ukrainian military protect tens of thousands of troops and civilian lives while safeguarding billions of dollars in equipment and diverting significant Russian resources into wasteful strikes. To date, Spirit of America has funded the production of more than 5,133 decoys, with over 2,000 more currently in development, representing a $20 million investment in one of Ukraine’s most cost-effective battlefield capabilities.
By absorbing enemy attacks at a fraction of the cost of replacing actual equipment, the program helps Ukraine protect its forces, preserve scarce military assets, maintain operational effectiveness, and force Russia to expend expensive munitions against false targets. The decoys have been used to replicate a wide range of high-value systems, creating uncertainty for Russian planners and reducing the effectiveness of enemy targeting efforts.
By helping preserve air defense systems and other critical capabilities, the decoy program also strengthens Ukraine’s ability to protect population centers, civilian infrastructure, and essential services from attack while sustaining its capacity to defend territory and conduct military operations over the long term.
Decoy Types
Air Defense Systems
Air defense systems keep the skies clear of Russian aircraft, missiles, and drones, protecting Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, and critical infrastructure.
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Aircraft
The aircraft and drones of the Ukrainian Air Force and Unmanned Systems Forces are prime targets for Russian attacks.
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Armored Vehicles
Armored vehicles are critical for the mobility of Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines, who face constant danger from Russian drones, artillery, and bombing.
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Artillery
Artillery systems allow Ukrainian soldiers to hit Russian positions from afar and can take the form of traditional towed or stationary pieces or self-propelled artillery.
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Radars, Sensors, and Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems
Air defense systems keep the skies clear of Russian aircraft, missiles, and drones, protecting Ukrainian soldiers, civilians, and critical infrastructure.
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Miscellaneous
Spirit of America has supported Ukrainian partners to develop over five dozen distinct models of decoy equipment. Here are some of the decoys we’ve made that don’t fit into any of the above categories.
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With approximately $20 million invested and 5,133 decoys delivered, Ukrainian forces report almost 3,000 decoys have been destroyed in the place of real military assets, using up almost 8,500 Russian missiles and munitions worth an estimated $766 million.
The program has preserved an estimated $11.3 billion in Ukrainian military equipment, producing a documented primary return on investment of $11.4 billion and an estimated 976x total return when secondary effects are included.
And beyond military equipment, the decoy program has saved lives and prevented casualties — over 8,600, including 5,834 military personnel and approximately 2,811 civilians. The decoys have also protected an estimated 83 air defense missile systems, preventing an estimated $8 billion in damage to civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and other critical services.
The program also strengthened Ukraine’s domestic economy by directing production into Ukrainian manufacturing, generating an estimated $29 million in economic impact and supporting 180 jobs, while helping sustain Ukraine’s long-term military resilience and reducing the human and economic cost of continued attacks.
