The fact that the Krasukha-4 electronic warfare complex’s command module has fallen into the hands of the Ukrainian Army (if true) is expected to cause Russia a lot of problems.
The Krasukha-4 electronic warfare complex, developed by Russia, has received a lot of attention in recent years. When Ukraine seizes the crucial command module, the West is eager to learn about it.
According to military experts, a mysterious container recently seized by the Ukrainian Army is expected to cause significant losses to Russia while also serving as a potential intelligence gold mine, as it is a radio station of the commander of the mobile electronic warfare (EW) system Krasukha-4.
The Krasukha-4 is designed to detect and jam large radar stations, such as the E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) radar and reconnaissance satellites used by the United States Air Force. The command container was discovered outside of Kyiv, according to Ukrainian soldiers. A complete Krasukha-4 complex is known to consist of two containers, one with an electronic warfare system and the other with a command module, mounted on an 8×8 KAMAZ-6350 truck.
It’s unclear why the Krasukha-4 complex’s command module was separated from the truck chassis. Although there is some external damage (most likely due to a drop), the rest of the machine is in good working order. Furthermore, analysts believe that the Russian electronic warfare crew may have entered the ambush, requiring the surrender of weapons in order to withdraw. The loss of Krasukha-4’s command module will have a number of combat implications for Russian forces.
Despite being developed in the late 1990s, the Krasukha-4 is still one of the Russian Army’s most capable mobile EW systems, with mass production only beginning in the early 2010s. The Krasukha-4 radar-equipped intelligence satellite was developed as part of a larger project of field systems aimed at shielding Russian assets on the ground and in the air from the prying eyes of ground and air surveillance radars.
The Krasukha-4, according to Russian officials, can detect and jam a variety of radars, including surveillance radars, airborne radar image sensors, active radar detectors, and machines. Krasukha-4 has a maximum range against ground and air targets of 150 to 300 kilometres in any direction, depending on various environmental factors, according to the manufacturer KRET.
According to some sources, Krasukha-4’s jamming system can even emit a powerful energy beam capable of physically damaging sensitive avionics on certain targets. The deployment of Krasukha-4 near Kyiv will make it more difficult for Ukrainian forces to detect and target Russian forces in the area via radar, where fighting has been ongoing for weeks.
In essence, the system must have some level of passive detection capability, allowing it to be used in a broader surveillance role, such as tracking an emerging threat like radar of fighter aircraft or surface-to-air missile systems. Although most discussions of the Krasukha-4’s capabilities do not see it as a counter-communication tool, as the Russian Army employs a variety of other EW systems for that purpose, the Krasukha-4 appears to have some potential in this regard.
Aside from the immediate ramifications of losing Krasukha-4’s command module, if the bridge is in good condition, it could provide a valuable source of intelligence to Western intelligence agencies. Russia’s adversaries, including the United States and a slew of other nations, will be ecstatic to get their hands on this command module and see what secrets can be gleaned from it.
U.S. military officials frequently discuss the threat posed by advanced EW systems, such as those being developed by Russia and China, which Washington considers to be a particularly serious threat to US forces. Intelligence services in the West will Learn more about the capabilities of Krasukha-4, which can aid in the development of countermeasures. The operating system’s software is just as valuable as the hardware, and it can lead to the discovery of vulnerabilities that can be exploited for cyberwarfare.
Further analysis of the bridge’s individual components, down to things like internal wiring could also provide other insights, including the ability to manufacture components Advanced EW systems and other Russian electronics.
Overall, any documents or other items found inside this seized bridge can provide useful information on a variety of subjects. This is without a doubt one of the most valuable spoils acquired by the Ukrainian Army during the conflict.
