Russia Upgrades Battlefield Communications to Counter Ukrainian Electronic Warfare
Russian forces have reportedly upgraded key battlefield communication systems to make them significantly more resistant to Ukrainian electronic warfare, according to Russian military sources.
The communications units of the Sever Combat Group have reportedly installed new software on systems used for command and control, artillery coordination, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and ground-based robotic platforms.
According to the claims, the upgrade can provide up to a tenfold increase in communication range while improving the systems’ ability to maintain connections in areas affected by Ukrainian electronic jamming.
Russian forces have also reportedly developed and deployed locally produced communication repeaters designed to extend the operating range of ground robots. This could allow operators positioned farther behind the front line to control robotic systems while remaining at greater distances from artillery and FPV-drone threats.
The upgraded robotic platforms are increasingly being used for logistics and resupply missions, transporting ammunition, equipment, food and other supplies to frontline positions considered too dangerous for soldiers.
The wider use of unmanned ground systems reflects the changing nature of the Russia Ukraine war, where electronic warfare, drones and robotic platforms have become increasingly important on the battlefield.
By extending the range of communications and improving resistance to jamming, Russia is seeking to maintain reliable control of its unmanned systems even in heavily contested electronic environments.
However, claims of a tenfold improvement come from Russian sources and have not been independently verified. The actual battlefield effectiveness of the upgraded systems will depend on conditions such as Ukrainian jamming capabilities, terrain, network congestion and the availability of repeaters.
The development nevertheless highlights the growing technological competition between Russian and Ukrainian forces, as both sides continue adapting their communications, drones and electronic-warfare systems to gain an advantage on the battlefield.