‘A psychological weapon’: inside a Ukrainian factory making decoy kit

The team uses plastic, scrap wood, foam and metal to produce copies of advanced weapon systems. Photograph: Oleg Solokha for the Guardian

In a dusty workshop, a unique group of Ukrainian weapons experts race to produce artillery guns that will never be fired, radar trucks that cannot detect anything, and missiles without explosives.

The pieces are decoys that aim to draw Russian fire, wasting enemy ammunition, missiles and drones while protecting real equipment and the soldiers manning it.