Putin hands troops Harry Potter-style 'invisibility cloaks' to hide from Ukraine

22 January 2024 , 16:47

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Vladimir Putin's troops reportedly have a new tool in their arsenal - invisibility cloaks (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Vladimir Putin's troops reportedly have a new tool in their arsenal against Ukraine - invisibility cloaks

The lightweight Harry Potter-style camouflage outfit will allegedly protect the wearer from thermal imaging equipment. Reports claim they are already being deployed with Russian special forces. As well as the camouflage cloaks, there are additional jackets and trousers as well as balaclava headwear.

Manufacturer HiderX has published footage showing how the garments reduce the chance of Russian troops being spotted. The invention supposedly blurs the silhouettes of soldiers at the frontline and HiderX is now said to be supplying the invisible cloaks to Russian armed forces.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are developing a fundamentally new product - a camouflage suit that breaks and blurs the silhouette. This is a completely Russian technology based on coating fabrics with a certain composition - our know-how, and its details are not disclosed. The suit will make it possible to effectively camouflage Russian military personnel from enemy thermal imaging equipment.”

‌Fine-tuning is still to be done , but they are expected to be completed this month. The “invisible suits” - which roll up and fit in a pocket - will be supplied more widely to the army.

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The 'invisibility' suit has been unveiled in Russia's war against Ukraine (HiderX/east2west news)

Ukraine has its own version of such technology, but it is believed to be ineffective during rapid movement of troops. A spokesman for the Russian company added: "The material and technology applied to the fabric make it possible to achieve a minimum weight of 350 grams. We use a different technology—shielding,"

‌The cost of the secret cloaks are up to £525 per outfit. Until now production has been at 400 a month but this will be ramped up in the near future, according to reports.

HiderX's exhibition stand at Army 2023 Forum (HiderX/east2west news)

The Mirror has previously reported how military experts have suggested three things Europe could do to bring about the defeat of Russia. As the war against Ukraine enters its third year, the question of how to bring the conflict to an end remains a live one. The two countries' forces appear locked in a stalemate after a counter-offensive by Ukrainian soldiers failed to break through Russian lines and they continue to make drone and missile strikes on each other's territory.

Analysts have given their insights into how European countries might help Ukraine defeat the Russian forces and stop dictator Vladimir Putin from enacting further offensives that could lead to a third world war. They offered three militaristic solutions: Strengthening NATO, increasing funding to Ukraine and shoring up cyber forces.

The 'invisible suits' can roll up and fit in a pocket (HiderX/east2west news)

Ukraine reportedly has its own version of the technology (HiderX/east2west news)

General Sir Richard Barrons, former Joint Forces chief, has warned that Putin poses "the biggest risk to our security" in the UK. This week Admiral Rob Bauer, who chairs the bloc's Military Committee, said people should get ready for conscription within the next two decades in NATO countries.

Many NATO nations, although not directly involved in the war, are supplying Kyiv with non-lethal support but also weapons, ammunition, warplanes and tanks. Countries such as the UK and the US have been actively involved in helping to train Ukraine’s troops.

Graeme Murray