Ukraine’s Invisible War: How Electronic Warfare Is Shaping the Battlefield
Electronic warfare has become a defining element of the battlefield, where victory depends not only on firepower but on signal dominance.
In an in-depth analysis for The Gaze, Bohdan Popov, Head of Digital at the United Ukraine Think Tank, explores how Ukraine is rewriting the rules of modern war – one signal at a time.
Popov notes that the battlefield is no longer confined to tanks and trenches, it now includes satellites, drone channels, and GPS signals. Disrupt one, and the ripple effect can undermine entire operations.
According to the Royal United Services Institute, Russia has deployed powerful electronic warfare systems like Krasukha-4, Zhitel, and Borisoglebsk-2 to suppress Ukrainian command and control.
Yet, as Popov highlights, Ukraine has not stood still. “Ukraine has become an example of the large-scale use of electronic warfare in a hybrid, dynamic environment,” he writes.
Systems like Anklav and Nota now allow Ukrainian forces to locate and jam enemy signals in real time. Meanwhile, Western-supplied tools such as VAMPIRE and SmartShooter enhance frontline resilience.
One of the key arenas in this battle is the clash between FPV drones and electronic warfare systems.
Even more promising is Ukraine’s use of “anti-rebels” drones – drones that detect enemy signal sources and relay targeting data for artillery strikes.
Systems like the Shark drone exemplify this counter-offensive capability, built on alternative GPS and electronic precision.
Ukrainian companies have started producing advanced electronic warfare systems locally, reducing dependency on foreign supply chains. Platforms like Bukovel-AD and Khmara are now protecting both frontlines and critical infrastructure deep in the rear.
Popov sees an opportunity. “The electronic warfare sector in Ukraine has significant potential for public-private partnerships,” he explains.
Domestic production grew over 80% between 2021 and 2023. Export-oriented firms are entering European defense markets, particularly with software for detection, suppression, and digital simulation.
“The future of the battlefield is a space where artificial intelligence electronic warfare algorithms interact with sensor networks, and drones, tanks, and artillery operate in a coordinated, decentralized system,” Popov concludes. “Those who do not control the airwaves do not control the battlefield.”
Read the full article on The Gaze: “Electronic Warfare in Ukraine: Winning the War One Signal at a Time”