Ukraine Has Now Access to Technical Features of Russia's Modern Volnorez Counter-Drone System.

Ukrainian forces have recently seized the Russian-made Volnorez counter-drone electronic warfare system in Russia's Kursk region. The find, disclosed in a video posted on Facebook by Yuriy Butusov on August 14, 2024, displayed the system in its original factory packaging, accompanied by a technical brochure.
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Russian Volnorez counter-drone system is built to protect military vehicles from FPV kamikaze drones (Picture source: Russian Social Media)

The Volnorez (Breakwater) counter-UAS jammer, initially showcased at the Russian Army Expo in 2023, is now actively engaged in the Ukraine conflict. Social media posts from mid-September reveal that this advanced electronic warfare system has been installed on Russian T-80BVM main battle tanks operating on Ukrainian soil. This deployment signifies a considerable escalation in Russia’s strategy to shield its armored units from the increasing threat posed by Ukrainian drones, particularly kamikaze-style attacks. By outfitting frontline units with Volnorez, Russia signals a firm commitment to incorporating advanced electronic warfare technology to enhance survivability in the conflict. Operating within the 390-510 MHz and 750-1050 MHz frequency bands, the system disrupts FPV drones by severing their control links, causing them to crash. This approach is especially effective against makeshift drones, although it shows limitations when facing more advanced models.

The Volnorez showcases the latest in Russian counter-drone technology, specifically designed to neutralize UAV threats. It is considered one of the most advanced and secretive systems within Russia’s defense arsenal. Its recent deployment on Russian tanks in Ukraine emphasizes its strategic importance in modern warfare as Russia seeks to counter the increasing effectiveness of Ukrainian drones.

This advanced counter-drone technology is built to protect military vehicles, particularly tanks, from FPV (First Person View) kamikaze drones. The system emits radio frequency interference to disrupt control signals between a drone and its operator. When an FPV drone approaches a vehicle equipped with Volnorez, it loses connection, forcing it to either land or hover until its battery depletes, effectively neutralizing the threat and keeping the vehicle unharmed.

Weighing only 13 kg, the Volnorez system is compact and easy to install on various military platforms. It operates across a wide range of frequencies and delivers an output power of 30 watts, allowing it to function in extreme temperatures from -40 to +60°C. The system’s installation is straightforward, requiring just 10 minutes with magnetic mounts, which eliminates the need for structural modifications to the vehicle.

The Volnorez system has been deployed on Russian tanks, such as the T-80BVM, equipped with both anti-drone cages and the Volnorez system. This configuration demonstrates its effectiveness in modern warfare, where drone threats are increasingly prevalent. Beyond tanks, Volnorez is also designed for use on unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) tasked with casualty evacuation, protecting these critical assets as they operate in high-risk areas. Its ability to jam across frequencies commonly used by FPV drones makes Volnorez a versatile and essential tool in electronic warfare, particularly within the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

Globally, armed forces are rapidly advancing counter-UAS jamming systems to address the rise of drones on the battlefield, but Russia’s Volnorez stands out as a significant development in counter-drone technology. Its confidentiality and integration into Russian military operations underscore its strategic value in electronic warfare and the broader technological arms race. In the United States, systems like DroneDefender and Dronebuster disrupt control signals of hostile drones, while in the UK, the AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System) disables enemy drones through targeted jamming. France has developed similar systems, such as Boreades by CS Group and Raytheon C-UAS, to protect critical infrastructure and troops from UAV threats. These advancements highlight the essential role of anti-drone technologies in modern combat.

However, the Volnorez has limitations against advanced civilian drones. While FPV drones immediately fall upon signal disruption, more sophisticated drones, such as the Mavic 3, can stabilize or return to base due to embedded navigation tools like GPS and gyroscopes. These capabilities allow them to maintain partial autonomy, reducing Volnorez's effectiveness in scenarios involving such drones.

This limitation exposes a broader vulnerability in electronic warfare systems, which primarily target radio communication links but are less effective against drones equipped with autonomous navigation systems. Drones capable of maintaining flight stability without direct control signals are therefore less susceptible, diminishing the impact of systems like Volnorez against advanced aerial threats.

The discovery of the Volnorez system by Ukrainian forces could have major implications for both sides. For Russia, this represents a security breach, revealing one of its most advanced and classified counter-drone tools. For Ukraine, it opens the possibility of studying Volnorez's capabilities to develop effective countermeasures or potentially repurpose the technology, potentially shifting the technological balance in the conflict and impacting future strategies.