KYIV — Updated October 7, 2026. Ukraine is expanding electronic warfare protection around critical infrastructure from Russian drone attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after an October 6 meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
According to the presidential office, electronic warfare systems already neutralize a significant share of Russian Shahed-type drones, and additional tasks have been assigned to the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense and manufacturers.
A lower-cost layer of air defense
Electronic warfare can disrupt navigation or control functions used by unmanned systems. When effective, it can provide a less expensive defensive layer than firing a missile interceptor at every incoming drone.
Critical infrastructure priority
Power plants, substations and transmission networks remain high-value targets. Protecting them is especially important before winter because damage can affect electricity, heating, water and industry.
Analysis
Ukraine’s approach points toward layered air defense combining electronic warfare, mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and missile systems. The challenge is constant adaptation as drone navigation and communications methods change.