French Fishing Nets Recycled for Ukraine's War Effort Against Russian Drones
Used fishing nets from France are now part of Ukraine's defense strategy against Russian drone attacks.
In Roscoff, a port town in western Brittany’s Finistere department, an unexpected transformation is underway.
Once used to gather fish from the sea, discarded fishing nets are being repurposed and shipped to Ukraine as a crucial component in the country’s defense against Russian drones.
Christian Abaziou, 70, and Gerard Le Duff, 63, members of the Kernic Solidarites association, are spearheading this initiative.
They collect used nets from French ports, load them onto trucks, and send them over 2,000 kilometers to Ukraine, where they help entangle and bring down enemy drones.
The urgency of the war has rapidly evolved since its onset, shifting from traditional combat to a drone-focused strategy by Russia.
In response, Ukrainians have devised innovative methods for defense, including covering roads with nets mounted on poles.
These nets function like giant spider webs, trapping drones at an approximate distance of 25 kilometers from the front lines.
The idea of using fishing nets was born out of necessity and quickly implemented when Abaziou reached out to a retired fisherman.
Within 48 hours, enough nets were collected for the first shipment.
The initiative has garnered support not only locally but also internationally, with fishermen from regions like Northern Europe, notably Sweden and Denmark, contributing to Ukraine’s defense.
The nets, typically discarded as waste, now serve a critical purpose.
They are part of humanitarian aid convoys alongside essential supplies such as soup, infant formula, and medical supplies.
The gesture is deeply symbolic for both the donors and recipients; it represents a global community coming together in support of peace and safety in the face of conflict.
However, the logistical challenges of continuous transportation remain.
Abaziou hopes that Ukrainians will be able to send transporters to collect the nets directly in Brittany, reducing the need for repeated shipments.
Despite these challenges, the initiative showcases the power of collective action, creativity, and solidarity in addressing urgent global needs.
Once used to gather fish from the sea, discarded fishing nets are being repurposed and shipped to Ukraine as a crucial component in the country’s defense against Russian drones.
Christian Abaziou, 70, and Gerard Le Duff, 63, members of the Kernic Solidarites association, are spearheading this initiative.
They collect used nets from French ports, load them onto trucks, and send them over 2,000 kilometers to Ukraine, where they help entangle and bring down enemy drones.
The urgency of the war has rapidly evolved since its onset, shifting from traditional combat to a drone-focused strategy by Russia.
In response, Ukrainians have devised innovative methods for defense, including covering roads with nets mounted on poles.
These nets function like giant spider webs, trapping drones at an approximate distance of 25 kilometers from the front lines.
The idea of using fishing nets was born out of necessity and quickly implemented when Abaziou reached out to a retired fisherman.
Within 48 hours, enough nets were collected for the first shipment.
The initiative has garnered support not only locally but also internationally, with fishermen from regions like Northern Europe, notably Sweden and Denmark, contributing to Ukraine’s defense.
The nets, typically discarded as waste, now serve a critical purpose.
They are part of humanitarian aid convoys alongside essential supplies such as soup, infant formula, and medical supplies.
The gesture is deeply symbolic for both the donors and recipients; it represents a global community coming together in support of peace and safety in the face of conflict.
However, the logistical challenges of continuous transportation remain.
Abaziou hopes that Ukrainians will be able to send transporters to collect the nets directly in Brittany, reducing the need for repeated shipments.
Despite these challenges, the initiative showcases the power of collective action, creativity, and solidarity in addressing urgent global needs.
