Al-Sharq News Agency published a report under the title: “Electronic War…a silent aspect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine,” and it stated:
Electronic warfare technology targets communications, navigation and guidance systems that are used to locate enemy positions, deceive, and deliver deadly strikes. They are also used once morest cannons, combat aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and other weapons. And armies also use it to protect their forces at the same time.
And the Associated Press reported, in a Friday report, that electronic warfare is one of the areas in which it was believed that Russia had a clear advantage in the war. But for reasons that are not clear, this superiority was not shown much in the early stages of the war, which saw the chaotic failure to control the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
Electronic warfare has become more than a factor in the intense fighting in eastern Ukraine, as shorter and more easily defensible lines of supply allow Russia to move electronic warfare equipment closer to the battlefield.
“on the seam”
“We can’t say they are in control, but they are holding us back significantly,” added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
A Ukrainian intelligence official described the Russian threat as “extremely dangerous when it comes to disrupting reconnaissance efforts and commanders’ communications with the forces,” explaining that “Russian jamming of geolocation receivers in drones that Ukraine uses to locate enemy locations and direct artillery strikes, is intensified. Especially on the touch line.
Ukraine had some successes in countering Russian efforts in electronic warfare, seizing significant pieces of equipment, which the agency described as a “major intelligence coup”, and destroying two units specialized in electronic warfare.
The agency said Ukraine’s electronic warfare capabilities are difficult to assess, and analysts say they have improved significantly since 2014, when Russia seized Crimea and fomented a separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine.
electronic warfare elements
Ukraine also benefited from technology and intelligence provided by the United States and other members of NATO, which helped to sink the Russian cruiser Moskva.
Allied satellites and surveillance planes provide assistance to Ukraine, as well as the Starlink communications network of billionaire Elon Musk.
The Associated Press explained that electronic warfare consists of 3 basic elements: verification, attack, and protection.
Intelligence is initially collected by locating the enemy’s electronic signals, and upon attack, “white noise” jamming disrupts enemy systems, including radio communications, mobile phones, air defense systems, and artillery radars. And then comes the role of deception that confuses the enemy.
“Working on a modern battlefield without data is very difficult,” said retired Colonel Laurie Buckhout, a former commander in the US Army’s electronic warfare corps, explaining that “jamming is capable of blinding and deafening aircraft very quickly, especially in the event of loss of GPS and radar.” while flying at 600 mph.
It’s a “top secret area, because it relies so heavily on changing and evolving technology, where gains can be copied and erased very quickly,” James Steadham, a US expert in communications security, told the agency.
Ukraine learned harsh lessons from electronic warfare in 2014 and 2015, when Russia outmaneuvered its forces by using this technology to shoot down drones, disable warheads, and hack communications networks.
broadband interference
Colonel Tyson Wetzel, a NATO colleague, said Russia was involved in jamming GPS systems in areas from Finland to the Black Sea. The Finnish airline “Transavia Baltica” was forced to cancel some flights for a week.
Frank Bucks, an executive at US firm Kratos Defense, said Russian interference had disrupted television broadcasts in Ukraine.
However, Russia’s use of electronic warfare was less effective than expected, and this may have contributed to Russia’s failure to destroy enough radars and anti-aircraft units to gain air supremacy.
Some analysts believe that Russian leaders have suspended the electronic warfare units for fear of a Ukrainian takeover. Russia may have restricted the use of electronic warfare equipment at the beginning of the conflict due to concerns that it was being improperly operated by untrained technicians.
(Sky News Arabia)