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Ukraine will spoof GPS across the country to stop Russian drones

A nationwide electronic warfare system called Pokrova can disrupt satellite navigation – Ukraine may already be using it to prevent strikes by Russian drones and missiles, but doing so will also affect satnavs in the country

By David Hambling

2 February 2024

The remains of a destroyed attacking drone in Ukraine in January 2024

The remains of a destroyed attacking drone in Ukraine in January

Anatolii Steepannov/AFP/Getty

Ukraine is deploying a nationwide electronic warfare system to confuse satellite navigation. Known as Pokrova, the system aims to prevent Russian missiles and drones from finding their targets and may already be in operation. It is likely to also affect satellite navigation for people in Ukraine.

Read more

What does Ukraine’s million-drone army mean for the future of war?

The “spoofing” system interferes with GPS and other satellite navigation systems such as Russia’s GLONASS and Europe’s Galileo, collectively known as Global Navigation Satellite Systems, or GNSS.…

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