Ukraine deploys electronic warfare dome over Kyiv to disrupt Shahed drone links
Ukraine has deployed an electronic warfare dome over Kyiv to disrupt the radio connections used by Russian operators to remotely control Shahed drones and identify targets. The operation involved hundreds of equipment locations, domestic manufacturers and several state institutions. Serhii Beskrestnov said it forced Russia to pause and adapt its drone operations.
Key points
- The electronic warfare dome targets radio links between Russian operators and remotely controlled Shahed drones.
- Russia uses MESH communications and drone-mounted radio modems to control Shaheds and search for targets.
- The operation was prepared over several weeks.
- Hundreds or many hundreds of antenna and equipment locations were set up across Kyiv.
- Major Ukrainian electronic warfare manufacturers worked around the clock to manufacture and install equipment.
- The General Staff, Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry, National Security and Defence Council, Presidential Office and other defence units participated.
- Serhii Beskrestnov said the operation forced Russia to pause, modernize its Shaheds and seek other solutions.
Why it matters
The deployment targets the command-and-control links that Russian operators rely on to guide Shahed drones toward their targets. Its scale — hundreds of locations across Kyiv and continuous work by domestic manufacturers — shows the extent of resources involved in disrupting long-range drone operations.
What happened
Ukraine deployed an electronic warfare dome over Kyiv to interfere with the radio communications used by Russian operators to remotely control long-range Shahed drones and search for targets. Russia uses MESH networks and radio modems installed on the drones to maintain those links. Ukrainian personnel prepared the operation over several weeks and established hundreds or many hundreds of antenna and equipment locations across the capital. Major Ukrainian manufacturers produced and installed the equipment around the clock, with support from the General Staff, Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry, National Security and Defence Council, Presidential Office and other defence units. The operation was conducted under the president's constant oversight.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting emphasizes the operation's scale, including hundreds of sites across Kyiv, round-the-clock involvement of domestic manufacturers and participation by senior state institutions. It is presented as a successful operation that disrupted Russian control of Shahed drones and prompted changes on the opposing side.
Background
Russian operators have used MESH radio communications and drone-mounted modems to control Shaheds remotely, search for targets and, according to reporting, maintain video links and more precise guidance while seeking ways around Ukrainian electronic warfare measures.