Putin’s electronic warfare is backfiring, putting Russian planes at risk

Pilots report of widespread system failures brought on by the defense system.

What is happening?

Russian pilots are sounding the alarm over increasing threats to air safety caused by electronic warfare jamming.

The Kremlin’s defense tactic, meant to block Ukrainian drone attacks, is now disrupting critical aviation systems.

Widespread System Failures

According to Express, flight crews across Russia are filing mass complaints about their aircraft’s Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) malfunctioning.

These systems, essential for avoiding mid-air crashes, are being thrown into chaos by jamming signals.

Electronic Warfare Backfires

Russia’s deployment of electronic jamming, designed to deter Ukrainian kamikaze drones, is creating new dangers.

The unintended consequence: civilian and commercial pilots are now flying blind in compromised airspace.

TCAS “Goes Crazy,” Warns Former Pilot

Yuri Yashin, a former Airbus A320 pilot, described how TCAS systems are now frequently misfiring.

Planes are receiving phantom alerts of nearby aircraft, prompting sudden and unnecessary evasive maneuvers.

Jamming Intensifies When Putin Is Present

The threat of drone attacks on Putin himself has led to particularly strong jamming at events he attends.

These measures are suspected of creating the most severe interference for airborne navigation and communication.

Ghost Warnings leads to Panic Maneuvers

Pilots are being spooked by alerts of “unidentified objects” near their aircraft.

These objects behave erratically and don’t show up on ground-based air traffic control systems, further compounding the confusion.

Air Traffic Control Can’t Always Help

Due to the jamming, cockpit warnings sometimes override ATC instructions, ordering pilots to climb or descend immediately.

These split-second decisions are now being made without confirmation from controllers.

Growing Fears for Russian Aviation Safety

Pilots are increasingly worried they can’t tell false alarms from real threats.

Airports in Moscow are also affected, as the Russian capital continues to face frequent drone incursions tied to the ongoing war in Ukraine.