Ukrainian soldiers released a video showing the destruction of a Russian air defense vehicle. This device, supposed to detect flying devices, was spotted by a drone before being targeted by Ukrainian artillery.
New technologies do not last long on the front lines. A Ukrainian military unit broadcast on its Telegram channel on January 13 the destruction of a Russian electronic warfare vehicle, the RB-109A Bylina, dedicated to anti-drone defense. Ironically: the loss of this machine is linked to the use of a drone.
This new device, deployed since fall 2023, is supposed to detect connected weapons at distances of up to 800 km. Once the enemy aircraft is spotted, the Bylina analyzes the frequencies and reports the positions to other combat systems, the data collected to shoot down the drone. The Russian army touted the integration of AI into its new vehicle to better detect the numerous flying objects on the front in Ukraine.
The difficult detection of drones in Ukraine
Ultimately, it was a drone that spotted a Bylina in the forests of the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine. The device gave indications to Ukrainian artillery which carried out a precision strike, undoubtedly fired from an American HIMARS vehicle. The missile struck the area a few meters from the machine, a distance close enough to set the Russian system on fire, as shown in the footage filmed by the drone.
Electronic warfare is one of the most important dimensions since the invasion of Ukraine. Mini-drones are still among the most crucial weapons today, and their operational success depends largely on the enemy’s ability to jam them.
The difficulties in advancing on the battlefield for Russia as for Ukraine are not linked only to very inclement weather, or to the mining of the terrain. They are also caused by the use of various means — artillery, drones, missiles, and counter-detection — which block armored assaults and the advance of troops.
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