ISW: Ukrainian electronic warfare innovations are disrupting enemy drones

Innovations in electronic warfare are significantly improving the ability of the Ukrainian Defence Forces to counter russian UAV attacks, reports the UK-based Institute for the Study of War.

In October-November 2024, russia began to launch waves of attack drones more frequently: 80 to 100 shahed drones and decoy drones almost daily.

The russians are using the tactic of massive shahed and decoy attacks along with fewer missiles to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences. However, Ukraine is adapting to this tactic. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the number of drones that fail to reach their targets due to Ukrainian electronic warfare has increased significantly in recent months.

In particular, on 2 October, the enemy lost 23 (22%) of 105 launched shahed drones due to electronic warfare countermeasures, and on the night of 2 December, 50 (45%) of 110 drones were disabled by electronic warfare, and 52 more were shot down.

Improvements in Ukrainian electronic warfare capabilities allow not only to “land” enemy drones, but also to divert them from their course, forcing them to cross Russian or belarusian airspace. This creates an additional burden on enemy air defences. According to the belarusian Hayun monitoring group, a record 38 russian drones entered belarusian airspace on 24-25 November.