More than 280 tonnes of used fishing nets from Scotland are being sent to Ukraine to help defend against Russian drone strikes, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
The shipment follows a direct request from Kyiv for materials that can be repurposed as overhead anti-drone netting to protect roads and key infrastructure in eastern Ukraine.
A total of 228 former salmon farm nets — weighing approximately 280 tonnes — had been sitting in storage awaiting recycling or disposal. Instead, they will now be transported to Ukraine, where they will be installed above roads and strategic sites to intercept incoming drones.
According to the Scottish Government, the nets are designed to trap drone propellers, preventing the aircraft from reaching their intended targets.
Scotland’s External Affairs Secretary, Angus Robertson, said the move underscores Scotland’s continued backing for Ukraine as the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches.
“As we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine the Scottish Government is committed to aiding Ukraine’s defence and this donation demonstrates that our support is unwavering,” he said.
Robertson explained that “The Ukrainian Minister for the Development of Communities made a direct request for Scotland to supply used fishing nets, which would be repurposed to provide anti-drone netting on public roads in Eastern Ukraine.”
He added: “We identified 228 old salmon farm nets, weighing 280 tonnes, sitting in storage awaiting disposal. They work by trapping the drone propellers, stopping them reaching their target.”
Highlighting the scale of the threat, he said: “Drone attacks are a near daily occurrence. They have been responsible for many deaths and casualties as well as causing huge devastation across Ukraine. This will help counter some of these deadly attacks.”
The Scottish Government’s Directorate for International Trade and Investment has allocated £216,000 to cover transportation costs.
Officials are finalising arrangements in coordination with the UK Ministry of Defence to ensure the safe transfer of the materials to Ukraine.
Scotland joins Denmark, Sweden and France in donating fishing nets for similar anti-drone defence efforts, as European nations continue to bolster Ukraine’s ability to protect civilian infrastructure from aerial assaults.