As of October 9, 2026, Russian 'Shahed' drones used for attacks on Kyiv have been equipped with new satellite navigation antennas, significantly complicating the work of Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems.
New Antennas for Drones
According to information published in the Telegram channel 'Flash', the Russians have started installing antennas with 32 elements, while previously they used 16-element models. These new antennas help the drones neutralize the interference created by Ukrainian EW systems to suppress GPS signals.
Countering Technologies
Expert Beskrestnov explained that 'Shahed' drones can locate targets in two ways: either through radio control by an operator using a mesh modem or via satellite navigation signals. Ukrainian EW systems actively create interference on the frequencies used for satellite navigation to complicate the operation of the drones.
Russia's Response to Ukrainian Actions
In response to these actions, Russia has started installing special CRPA antennas on its drones, which can neutralize Ukrainian EW signals. This indicates that the Russian side is actively adapting its technologies to counter Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.