Ukrainians Are Secretly Taking Control Of Russia's Shahed Drones

Electronic warfare spoofing is tricking some Shaheds into landing

On Friday night and Saturday morning, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine involving 270 explosive Shahed drones, 196 decoy Shaheds, 16 cruise missiles and 14 ballistic missiles.

The main target was Odesa, Ukraine’s strategic port on the Black Sea—the destination for many of Ukraine’s imports and the departure point for many of its exports, including billions of dollars worth of grain every year.

No one died in the attacks, but a million people lost power. The Ukrainian air force reported shooting down or suppressing 417 Shaheds, nine cruise missiles and four ballistic missiles. It’s evident, from videos shot in around Odesa during the attack, that Ukrainian electronic warfare worked overtime to blunt the bombardment.

In particular, it’s evident that strategic E.W. systems (basically, powerful ground-mounted radio emitters) are spoofing some of the 440-pound Shaheds: convincing them they’re flying higher than they actually are—and tricking them into gently landing on the ground … or water.