A Ukrainian drone operator controls a drone through a virtual reality headset on the Lyptsi frontline in northeastern Ukraine. In the battle on the frontline, a black box sits on the dashboard of a military vehicle like a talisman, its small screen lights up to warn when a Russian drone flies over. The three mushroom-shaped antennas on the top of the vehicle are a set of independent drone jammers that can emit an invisible protective aura to intercept some (but not all) Russian attack drones patrolling the battlefield.
Countering high-tech threats
“It detected the Russian Zala Lancet drone,” Senior Lieutenant Yevhenii, 53, explained from the co-pilot seat. The drone is one of Russia’s most powerful long-range drones, capable of accurately targeting its targets. “Is that why we were driving so fast?” asked BBC reporter Quentin Somerville, realizing that the drone jammer antennas had no effect on the Lancet drone. "We are not their priority, but it is better not to slow down because it is very dangerous," Yevhenii explained.
Limitations of jamming technology
While signal jammer can block about 75% of the frequencies used by drones to communicate with their operators, drones like the Lancet are difficult to completely block because they act completely autonomously once a target is marked. Soldiers from the Haltia Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard said that due to the powerful power of Lancet drones, they are often used to attack larger targets, such as armored vehicles or infantry positions.
The role of drones in war
A year ago, the technology was almost non-existent in Ukraine, but now it has become very common. Drones were once irrelevant to the war, but now, as Ukraine strives to stop the Russian offensive, drones have become a core component of the battle between the two sides, along with infantry and artillery.