Fishing nyet
High-tech drones are no match for our netting in Ukraine
SCOTTISH fishermen’s nets are stopping Russian drones from destroying vital services in Ukraine.
The used nets from our trawler fleet were specifically requested from charity workers who have now taken more than £3million of aid from Scotland to the war-torn country.
Nets from Fraserburgh, Eyemouth and Mallaig harbours have been erected around electricity sub-stations and other vital infrastructure.
The initiative is already credited with halting Russian efforts to freeze Ukrainian citizens during a harsh winter.
The massive, heavy duty nets have been found to be effective at stopping Iran-made Shahed drones, which were picking off power supply buildings and putting them out of action.
Dr Keith Dawson, an organiser for the Pickups for Peace initiative, told of the netting efforts as a 12th convoy was set to drive from Scotland to the Ukraine last week.
The aid movement can now count on 600 drivers, taking a vast array of vehicles to the front line in Ukraine, with 300 vehicles taking a huge amount of aid.
Keith, from Peebles, said: “The thing has grown and we’ve had so many volunteers.
“We are taking over items that we have been asked for, that make a proven difference.
“That means stuff like tourniquets, medical trauma kits, shovels, tyres and boots.
“But we were also specifically asked to bring over any used netting that might combat drones.
“Fishermen in the Borders and in the north of Scotland have now sent nets that will be protecting important civilian electricity infrastructure from attacks by Shahed drones. It’s a great example of Ukrainian ingenuity, simply protecting the important buildings in a low-tech way that works.”
Ukraine’s air defence has a good record shooting down the slower Iranian Shahed drones but five per cent still get through.
Keith said: “If they launch 1000 that’s 50 getting through to hit power stations or substations. So they erect these large used trawler nets to act as screens around the infrastructure at a safe distance to catch the drones in flight and detonate them where their blast can do no damage. “It’s a great idea and seems to be working well.”
The Pickups for Peace initiative sprouted last year from an idea between a group of Scottish potato farmers.
Vehicles were resprayed military green and sent to the front.
The idea was hatched by Mark Laird, from Kirriemuir, who has worked in Poland and Ukraine for many years.
His Central Plains Group (CPG), of farmers operating in
Ukraine, has sought to take donations of vehicles and repurpose some for effective use in the war.
The venture has now run 12 convoys and delivered over 300 pickups filled with medical aid.
Keith said 500 volunteer drivers in 2023 had a lifechanging experience meeting those to whom they were delivering vehicles and their aid.
He said: “We must not forget the Ukrainians are fighting for us too. This is not just an existential struggle for Ukraine but for Western values freedom and democracy too.
“Pickups for Peace are continuing our efforts from a £30 combat tourniquet to save a life or limb in a minefield to a crowd-funded £4k rescue medical evacuation pickup.”
they erect trawler nets as screens for power stations dr keith dawson on initiative to help out ukraine