Serhii Beskrestnov, a freelance technology advisor to the President of Ukraine known by the call sign 'Flash', announced on November 2, 2026, the completion of a large-scale operation to deploy a protective electronic warfare (EW) 'dome' over Kyiv. According to him, the system is designed to suppress MESH radio communications, which Russian operators use to remotely control 'Shahed' jet drones and search for targets. The statement was published on Telegram and reported by Ukrainian media, including RBC-Ukraine and NV.
Operating Principle: Suppressing MESH Communications
As Beskrestnov explained, one of the key technologies enabling the adversary to control drones at a distance is MESH radio communication. A Russian operator guides the drone from Russian territory using a radio modem installed on board the unmanned aerial vehicle. To neutralize this communication channel, an EW complex creating a zone of interference was deployed over the capital. According to the advisor, this exact system deprives the operator of the ability to guide the drone during the final phase of flight and adjust its trajectory.
Scale of the Operation: Hundreds of Locations and Weeks of Work
Beskrestnov noted that the preparation and implementation of the project took several weeks. All major Ukrainian EW equipment manufacturers were involved in the process, manufacturing and installing equipment around the clock. According to his data, 'many hundreds of locations' for antennas and associated equipment were set up throughout the city. The advisor stated that the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the NSDC, the President's Office, and other units of Ukraine's Defense Forces participated in the operation. The activities were under the constant supervision of the country's president.
Impact on the Adversary and Further Context
'Flash' stated that the operation proved difficult not only technically but also organizationally, and that it 'forced the adversary to pause, modernize the 'Shaheds', and look for other solutions.' RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Russian jet drones of the Geran-5 type are capable of accelerating up to 1,000 km/h in certain maneuvers. In addition, a new modification — the 'Geran-5 K5-K' — has been introduced, equipped with an optical navigation system as well as increased range, speed, and flight altitude. These data indicate that the adversary continues to adapt its strike weapons in response to electronic countermeasures.
Assessment and Information Limitations
All the information provided above is based on the statement of a single individual—the advisor to the President of Ukraine. Independent verification of the technical characteristics of the EW dome, the exact number of equipped locations, and the real impact of the system on the results of drone attacks is currently not possible. The Russian side has not publicly commented on the information regarding the creation of this complex. Nevertheless, the very fact of the high-ranking Ukrainian official's public statement and its repetition by two independent Ukrainian publications make this information a subject for further monitoring.
