OSCE drone detects latest Russian electronic warfare systems in Donbas
In the regions of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces not controlled by Ukraine, observers from the OSCE mission have detected dozens of tanks and artillery systems deployed outside the set withdrawal areas, as well as anti-air defense systems and the latest Russian electronic warfare systems, reported Ukraine’s Joint Center for Control and Coordination of ceasefire in the Donbas (JCCC) .
On August 9, an OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) drone detected as many as 30 tanks belonging to the Russian armed groups, focused in the region of Lobachiv, Buhayivka and directly in Luhansk. It also detected 26 units of trailer artillery, a multiple launch rocket system and 4 anti-air missile systems.
“In addition, at the same time the OSCE SMM detected four new Russian-produced electronic warfare systems: an SB-341V “Leyer-3”, a 1L269 “Krasukha2”, an RB-109A “Bylina” and special “Repellent 1” drone obstruction systems. All of these systems were created by Russia in recent years, and the SB-109A Bylina was only scheduled for adoption by the Russian army this year after combat trials. These trials, as we see, are being carried out in Ukrainian territory,” the report states.
The OSCE SMM representatives also note that with increasing frequency the Russian armed groups are denying them access to the territories and facilities they control: on August 9 alone, they were denied access six times.
Thus in most cases the OSCE has to rely on drones, which, in turn, encounter interference created by the latest Russian electronic warfare systems. Such interference is documented in the SMM’s daily reports.
On Sunday an OSCE drone documented 16 Russian trucks crossing the Ukrainian border. The convoy travelled deep into the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk territories on country roads, and then returned to Russia.