Russia loses 2 rare electronic warfare systems over several months

Defense Express reported the information.

The Defense Forces of Southern Ukraine proudly shared footage on their official social media accounts, showcasing the destruction of the Russian occupying forces' RB-636 Svet-KU mobile electronic warfare system on the battlefield.

The rare target was identified in the temporarily occupied Kherson region, thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance personnel. Utilizing a reconnaissance drone, they tracked the system until the crew reached their position. Subsequently, precise adjustments were made for a HIMARS missile system to target and destroy the Russian vehicle.

This incident represents the third loss of the Russian RB-636 Svet-KU electronic warfare system. In March 2022, the Ukrainian Armed Forces seized one as a trophy, while the Ukrainian military previously destroyed this system in late August of the same year. Notably, Russian troops extensively employed this electronic warfare system before the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The current number of these systems in service with the Russian army remains uncertain. The development of the Svet-KU system began before 2010, with the stationary version, Svet-VSG, adopted by the Russian Armed Forces. In 2012, the mobile version, Svet-KU, was introduced. The stationary version was delivered to the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation in 2013, and by 2014, it was deployed in positional areas.

The mobile version, RB-636AM2 Svet-KU, presented in 2015, was based on a Ford Transit van with an operator's workstation, electronic equipment, and an antenna device. This version could operate while driving and, in a camping position, closely resembled a regular car.

The Svet family of systems serves the purpose of assessing the situation, searching, detecting, analyzing, and locating radio signal sources. Additionally, it provides a means to safeguard information transmitted over wireless channels from interception.