Old fishing nets from France become vital protection against Russian drones in Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/08/old-fishing-nets-vital-protection-against-russian-drones-ukraine

Old fishing nets from France become vital protection against Russian drones in Ukraine

Fishers from the Brittany coast are sending horse-hair nets to catch weapons and shield civilians and soldiers

Kim Willsher
Sat 8 Nov 2025 05.00 EST

In the fishing ports along France’s Brittany coast, the discarded fishing nets pile up along the coastal quaysides.

The lifespan of a deep-sea net is between 12 and 24 months, after which they become worn and beyond repair. Until now, the estimated 800 tonnes of nets scrapped every year have been a problem.

Now, the horsehair netting, once used to trawl monkfish from the sea bed, is being used for another catch: Russian drones.

The Breton charity Kernic Solidarités has sent two consignments of nets measuring a total of 280km to Ukraine to be used to protect soldiers and civilians along the frontline where fighting is fiercest.

… more …