Ukrainian FPV Drone Knocks Out Russian “Zhitel” EW System in Donetsk Region

A drone operated by Ukraine’s 413th “Raid” Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces has damaged a Russian R-330Zh “Zhitel” electronic warfare (EW) complex, disabling the system’s antennas and rendering it inoperable.

The attack was documented by the unit and published on its official social media channels on January 26, 2026.

According to the video released by the regiment, the Russian EW station was initially detected by a reconnaissance drone, which then guided an FPV (first-person view) drone to the target.

The strike reportedly destroyed the system’s antenna array, disabling its core functions and forcing the unit to evacuate the platform for costly and lengthy repairs.

While the central hardware remained intact, the loss of antennas — essential for signal detection and jamming — significantly reduced the operational capability of the system. Ukrainian forces assess that such damage effectively removes the “Zhitel” unit from the battlefield for an extended period.

The R-330Zh “Zhitel” is a mobile electronic warfare system developed by Russia to disrupt enemy communications. Mounted on a KamAZ truck chassis, the system is capable of detecting and jamming a wide range of communication signals, including satellite, mobile, and radio transmissions.

It is designed to interfere with GPS, Inmarsat, Thuraya, and GSM networks and can operate independently or as part of a broader EW network. Under favorable conditions, its effective jamming range extends up to 30 kilometers, targeting command-and-control nodes, drone operators, and reconnaissance systems.

The platform is frequently used in contested areas to obstruct Ukrainian drone operations and prevent precision targeting of Russian forces.

According to independent tracking group Oryx, at least 18 “Zhitel” units have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. At least six additional systems, including the latest incident, have sustained varying levels of damage.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov reported that the country’s Army of Drones carried out nearly 820,000 confirmed strikes against Russian targets in 2025, including 240,000 hits on enemy personnel. The announcement was made during the “Drone Army—2025” event, where President Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine’s growing technological advantage on the battlefield.

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