Ukraine Spoofs Russian Drones with Clever Electronic Warfare

When it comes to modern warfare, ingenuity often wins the day. Ukraine has found a clever way to counter Russia’s increasing use of Shahed drones in mass attacks, not by simply shooting them down but by using electronic warfare (EW) to redirect these drones—sometimes even sending them into Kremlin-friendly neighbor Belarus.

This recently reported tech-savvy tactic has added a new layer of complexity to the conflict and showcased just how adaptive Ukraine has become on the battlefield.

Here’s what we know so far about this matter.

Spoofing: The Secret Weapon

So, how does Ukraine manage to “lose” dozens of Russian drones without firing a shot? The answer lies in spoofing, a sophisticated electronic warfare tactic.

Instead of jamming the drones’ signals—something they’re designed to resist—Ukrainian forces feed them false GPS coordinates, tricking them into veering off course.

“It’s like giving the drone bad directions and making it think it’s on the right path,” says John Hardie, a Russian expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, quoted from Euronews.

Spoofing gradually misleads the drones, so they end up far from their intended targets—sometimes crashing, other times flying into Belarusian airspace.

This tactic has proven effective. For example, during a recent Russian attack, Ukraine intercepted or redirected 45 percent of the drones, a significant leap from earlier efforts.

A Symbolic Shield: Pokrova

At the heart of Ukraine’s EW defenses is a system called “Pokrova,” or “veil of protection.”

Named after a 10th-century Orthodox tradition in which the Virgin Mary protected Constantinople, Pokrova has become a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience.

First mentioned by former top general Valerii Zaluzhny, the system has been refined to deal with the sheer volume of Russian drones.

And it’s not the only system in play. Mobile anti-drone teams equipped with distributed sensors and mounted machine guns add another layer of defense, taking out drones that Pokrova can’t redirect.

Why Belarus?

One of the intriguing aspects of Ukraine’s spoofing efforts is the number of drones that end up in Belarus.

According to the Belarusian Hajun Project, the number of Russian drones entering Belarusian airspace has skyrocketed, with 151 Shahed drones reported in November alone.

Why Belarus and not back to Russia? Hardie explains that spoofing works gradually.

“You don’t flip the drone’s direction 180 degrees; you nudge it off course bit by bit,” he stated.

This makes Belarus a more likely destination, as it’s geographically closer to Ukraine’s front lines than Russian territory.

Belarus’ response has been chaotic. Reports indicate that its air force has scrambled jets to deal with the incoming drones, suggesting Minsk was unprepared for this unintended consequence of Russia’s aggression.

Military activity in Belarus in November 2024. Briefly

• At least 151 UAVs flew into Belarus in a month, at least 3 of them were shot down;

• The Belarusian military received new SAM systems, EW systems, UAVs and communications equipment;

• A rotation of the Russian… pic.twitter.com/hfLl6sbbfE

— Belarusian Hajun project (@Hajun_BY) December 6, 2024

A New Kind of Warfare

This battle isn’t just about drones; it’s a tech war. Russia has been ramping up the production of Shahed drones domestically, modifying their guidance systems to resist jamming.

However, spoofing remains effective because it’s subtle, slipping past the drones’ defenses.

Ukraine’s electronic warfare tactics show how innovation can level the playing field, even against a larger adversary. By using a combination of technology and strategy, Ukraine has not only protected its cities but also disrupted Russia’s operations in unexpected ways.

Civilian Impact and the Bigger Picture

These EW tactics aren’t without side effects. Ukrainian civilians have reported disruptions to their smartphone Global Positioning System (GPS) and clocks, leading officials to issue warnings about potential inaccuracies during air raids.

It’s a small price to pay for national security, but it highlights the far-reaching impact of modern warfare.

With Russia launching more than 2,500 Shahed drones in November alone, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the stakes are high.

But Ukraine’s ingenuity in turning these drones into liabilities for Russia demonstrates that this is more than just a war of weapons—it’s a war of wits.

Final Thoughts

Ukraine’s ability to adapt and innovate on the battlefield is a testament to its resilience. Redirecting drones back to Russia or into Belarusian airspace is a small but powerful victory, showcasing that even in the face of overwhelming odds, smart tactics can make all the difference.

As the conflict continues, Ukraine is doing more than defending its territory, and that is setting new standards for warfare in the digital age. By turning one of Russia’s most persistent threats into a tactical advantage, Ukraine proves that innovation and adaptability can rewrite the rules of modern combat.