Ukraine to expand use of EW and strengthen protection of critical infrastructure

Ukraine intends to increase procurement of electronic warfare systems, reformat the operation of mobile fire groups, and strengthen protection of critical infrastructure from Russian air attacks.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on September 15. According to him, decisions are being made against the backdrop of changing nature of Russian strikes and the need to enhance protection against drones.

One of the directions will be increasing procurement of electronic warfare systems. Such systems are used as part of layered air defense and allow countering Russian drones without using more expensive anti-aircraft missiles.

Separate changes will affect mobile fire groups. Zelensky stated the need to reformat their operation, but did not provide details of the new employment model.

Another priority will be additional protection of critical infrastructure. Russia continues to strike energy, transport, and other facilities. Only in the previous week, according to Zelensky, Russian forces used about 2,100 drones against Ukraine, a significant portion of which were jet-powered “Shaheds,” as well as almost 1,700 guided aerial bombs and 78 missiles of various types.

Ukrainian military is already working on expanding EW capabilities and mobile groups. Earlier, the General Staff reported scaling up electronic warfare units with a focus on covering critical infrastructure, primarily energy facilities. In parallel, mobile fire groups are being equipped with new means of detection and destruction of air targets.

Strengthening ground-based counter-drone means is proceeding in parallel with development of new interceptors. Earlier on September 15, Zelensky announced the successful test of yet another Ukrainian interceptor of jet-powered “Shaheds”: during the test, it was able to destroy a drone, although the development control system needs improvement.

Thus, Ukraine expects to combine several layers of protection against mass attacks — EW means, mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, and traditional air defense systems.

According to materials: Volodymyr Zelensky, Armed Forces of Ukraine