Kharkiv is becoming a testing ground for advanced civil defense technologies. The city is launching an experimental active countermeasure system against FPV drones, including protection against fiber-optic controlled unmanned aerial vehicles. If the pilot project proves effective, the protection will be scaled up to cover the entire region.

Information about the launch of the initiative was confirmed by the Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleg Synehubov, on Radio "Kharkiv". According to him, the development has been carried out in close cooperation with the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Kharkiv" for a week already. The specific area where the equipment will be deployed is not yet disclosed by the military.

Frontline Technologies in the City

The essence of the project lies in adapting solutions that have already proven their effectiveness on the line of contact to the conditions of a peaceful urban environment. Synehubov emphasized that the military are actively experimenting to find ways to neutralize threats, and now this experience is being transferred to the rear.

"If the experiment is successful, we will implement it across the entire territory, creating a protective dome around Kharkiv against fiber-optic FPV drones," noted the head of the RMA.

The initial stage of financing is covered by the regional budget. However, creating a full-fledged defense system for the entire city will require additional resources. In particular, funds are planned to be raised through the international United24 platform and other sources.

Three-Layer Defense

Active countermeasures will be only the first line of defense. According to the administration's plan, Kharkiv's protection will be built in three echelons:

  • First line: An experimental active countermeasure system that intercepts drones during their approach.
  • Second line: Passive protection. Anti-drone nets are planned to be installed not only in the northern sections but along the entire ring road. Special attention is paid to the Kharkiv Highway section from the ring road to the intersection with Akademika Proskury Street.
  • Third line: Mobile fire groups. These are personnel with rifles or automated turrets, whose task is to destroy targets that have broken through the first two levels of protection.

According to RMA data, the existing system is already holding back massive attacks. Currently, only a handful of unmanned aerial vehicles out of hundreds launched by the Russian army reach the city. Without current protective measures, about 100 fiber-optic FPV drones could be over Kharkiv daily.

Previously, at the end of June, Oleg Synehubov reported an intensification of attacks and the beginning of net installation in the outskirts of the city. Meanwhile, serial production of "Chipa" sitometers for intercepting drones at close range has been established in Ukraine, which will supplement the region's arsenal of defense means.