Ukrainians aim for Russia’s new electronic warfare system

Some of the tools used by the Russian invaders in Ukraine do not use ammunition. They do not shoot missiles, rockets, or mortar rounds. But they are extremely dangerous and irritating nevertheless. One of the main tasks of the defenders of Ukraine is the destruction of the Russian electronic warfare capabilities.

Explosion of Russia’s new Palantin electronic warfare system. (Screenshot)

Ukrainian forces have recently destroyed Russia’s new electronic warfare system Palantin. It was eliminated with a HIMARS strike. This system was spotted on the Zaporizhia front, where it was used to jam Ukrainian communications systems. “Drone operators of the Special operations forces spotted and tracked the target and alerted Ukrainian missile forces and artillery in order to destroy it,” the statement said.

Although the Ukrainian special forces did not specify how the Palantin was destroyed, several videos were later posted on social media, suggesting that the system was most likely destroyed by a GMLRS missile launched by Ukraine’s HIMARS. The Palantin is one of the latest Russian electronic warfare tools, but, of course, it is still vulnerable to direct attacks. And, the defenders of Ukraine engage the Russian electronic warfare systems with precision and determination, because EW tools can disrupt communications, confuse drones, detect Ukrainian electronics and do other things that are very dangerous to the security of Ukrainian people.

Here you can see the video of how this defensive attack was performed.

Military observers and analysts say the destruction of the Palantin is a “big win for HIMARS” because the system disrupts Ukrainian drone activity. It can jam radio communications and electronic intelligence equipment over a vast area. Some sources claim that the area of activity of the Palantin system spans 1000 kilometres. The Palantin simply confuses various electronic systems. In addition, Palantin can network multiple electronic warfare systems and coordinate their activities for more efficient operations. It is really a huge pain for the defenders of Ukraine, who have to operate within a certain distance of the Palantin.

The Palantin is a very new system. It was put into service in Russia’s Western Military District in April 2019. For its first public appearance, this system showed up in exercises near Voronezh. Russia doesn’t taunt its electronic warfare systems too much. On one hand, they are not as visibly engaging as something that shoots. The general public doesn’t care enough about them. On the other hand, if you understand how a particular electronic warfare system works, you can probably defeat it.

Ukraine has successfully destroyed the Palantin systems before. The first strike against this system in Ukraine happened in June 2022. Another Palantin system was attacked in February 2023. And now one more was destroyed in March 2024.

Written by Povilas M.