Ukraine’s high-tech defence shatters Russian bombing campaign

In a recent article Forbes highlights that a year ago, Russian fighter-bombers were wreaking havoc across Ukraine, dropping hundreds of glide bombs with devastating precision. But today, a powerful new defence system is turning the tide. 

Russian fighter-bombers dropped hundreds of glide bombs daily along Ukraine's front lines, making use of satellite-guided KAB and UMPK bombs that were hailed as "miracle weapons." These bombs, capable of traveling up to 25 miles, wreaked havoc on Ukrainian cities, such as Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. At the time, Ukrainians had little in the way of countermeasures.

However, that has changed. Ukrainian forces now have powerful countermeasures that have significantly impacted Russian bombings. Narek Kazarian, a member of Ukraine's Night Watch electronic warfare team, credits their Lima jammer for this shift. Unlike traditional jammers, Lima uses "digital interference" to disrupt Russian bombs' navigation systems through a combination of jamming, spoofing, and cyberattacks.

“The accuracy of the bombings first decreased and then, realizing the ineffectiveness, the enemy stopped shelling regional centers altogether,” Kazarian said.

Previously, Russian forces relied on bomb-first tactics, dropping glide bombs on cities before infantry moved in to attack. This strategy successfully captured cities like Avdiivka and pushed forward toward Pokrovsk. However, as Russian forces stalled outside Pokrovsk last month, it became clear that the "golden era" of glide bomb usage was over, according to the Russian air force's unofficial Telegram channel, Fighterbomber.

The Lima jammer, Kazarian suggests, has disrupted Russian communication with the GLONASS satellite system, causing bombs to veer off course or even detonate harmlessly. Some bombs have even fallen on Russian soil or occupied territories.

This disruption has made Russian operations more costly and inefficient. Each glide bomb costs around $25,000, but the jets that launch them are far more expensive. The need for multiple jets to hit a single target has increased the risk and cost for the Russian air force.

As the Lima jammer and other systems protect Ukraine’s front lines, the effectiveness of Russian glide bombings continues to decrease, offering hope for greater protection in the future.

By Naila Huseynova