Ukrainian soldiers facing the constant threat of Russian drones have turned to a new, highly sought-after gadget known as Tsukorok, or “sugar,” developed by London-based Ukrainian engineer Dmytro Selin. This grassroots device, produced by various manufacturers, emits a loud beep when a drone enters its detection range, allowing soldiers to seek cover or activate jamming devices.
The Tsukorok has gained popularity due to its simplicity and effectiveness. A mortar crewman in the Donbas region described it as “amazing because it is so cheap and simple.”
Les soldats du 150-ème OMBr 🇺🇦 ont reçu des volontaires les détecteurs du drone “Tsukorok”.#GuerreEnUkraine pic.twitter.com/FIib9XJ1z0
— Олів’є Лекур (@olivyelekur) July 21, 2024
Ukraine has significantly improved its drone operations, using inexpensive, off-the-shelf drones to intercept Russian reconnaissance drones. However, electronic warfare remains a critical challenge. French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill noted that 75% of drones in Ukraine are taken down by electronic warfare.
Meanwhile, German developers are testing a new drone in Ukraine called HCX, made by HIGHCAT. This drone is immune to radio-frequency jamming and detection, as it communicates with its operator via a fiber-optic cable, making it difficult for adversaries to locate and target.
The Russian military have used truck-mounted jamming systems to disrupt Western-made, GPS-guided artillery and missiles. Moscow has recently employed armored vehicles with jamming devices to enhance their front-line operations.
On the Ukrainian side, more than 50 companies are engaged in producing electronic warfare equipment, ranging from simple devices like the Tsukorok to more complex jamming systems. Despite the increasing production, demand far exceeds supply. Bohdan Danyliv, head of the military department at the Prytula Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for more jamming equipment, noting that current demand is at least 10 times higher than supply.
Selin’s Tsukorok, developed initially in 2022, detects signals from Russian Orlan reconnaissance drones. Its use has expanded rapidly due to positive feedback from Ukrainian military personnel. However, scaling up production has been challenging due to unreliable deliveries of parts and the complexities of international manufacturing.
Expanded Coverage:
