Russia may have built flying jammer to hunt Ukraine’s long-range drones, OSINT analysts say

According to OSINT analysts from Militarnyi, Russia may have developed a new complex mounted on an Mi-8 helicopter designed to jam the satellite navigation of Ukraine’s long-range strike drones. This system appears to be an attempt to neutralize Ukraine’s capability to conduct deep strikes into Russian territory.

The jammer operates by emitting signals that interfere with GPS or other satellite navigation systems that drones rely on for course guidance. The helicopter base makes the system mobile, allowing it to be deployed in various regions depending on operational needs. While the exact technical specifications of this complex are unknown, its existence underscores Russia’s efforts to adapt to Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

This development comes amid Ukraine’s increased use of long-range drones to hit Russian oil refineries, airfields, and other infrastructure. The flying jammer could be part of a broader Russian countermeasure package, but its effectiveness remains unassessed. Analysts note that such systems are challenging to maintain and may be vulnerable to Ukrainian anti-radiation missiles.