Hunting for EW and air defense systems: How the 413th "Raid" Battalion operates in Kursk.

The 413th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems "Raid" was one of the first to join the Kursk Operation. More about their activities can be found in the report by RBC-Ukraine military correspondent Bohdana Liaskovska from the Kursk direction.

The Kursk Operation was prepared in complete secrecy. Unlike the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive in the south in June 2023, it was not discussed in the media or among military analysts until it began. Even the first few days of the breakthrough in Kursk were marked by an information blackout. Only later did the military get the chance to share how everything unfolded in August and the current situation.

Heavy equipment and military units moved towards the borders with the Russian Federation in the Sumy region under conditions of secrecy, camouflaged among the forests—waiting for readiness and orders to advance.

On the morning of August 6, the Armed Forces of Ukraine crossed the border with the Russian Federation and began the first battles in the Kursk region. Just a few days into the operation, Ukrainian forces controlled hundreds of square kilometers of Russian territory. At that time, Russian conscripts and soldiers guarding the border were also taken prisoner. Subsequently, the Ukrainian command reported that the operation was conducted to create a buffer zone within Russia.

For the RBC-Ukraine report on Russian prisoners from Kursk, click here.

Fighting in the Kursk region has been ongoing for six months now, and the Russians have managed to reclaim some settlements. Reinforcements have arrived for the Russians in the form of soldiers from North Korea.

This section of the front remains extremely important for Ukrainian forces, which is why the Armed Forces continue offensive actions. Here, dozens of powerful brigades and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are gathered, including the 413th Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems "Raid," with whom the RBC-Ukraine military correspondent went on duty.

Almost every road in Sumy shows signs of Russian "brotherhood." The closer you get to the border, the more destroyed houses, burned cars, and bombed roads you see. Along the road, red signs reading "mined" are visible everywhere. All fields and roadsides are still littered with mines, so leaving the road is strictly forbidden. Instead of bridges, there are pontoon crossings. While we cross the river, the supports of a bridge can be seen nearby. It was evidently blown up at the beginning of hostilities to block the path for the Russians.

We arrive at the deployment point. The northern front differs in climatic conditions; it is indeed significantly colder here, with howling winds and constantly poor weather. These are all important factors that complicate the operations of unmanned system groups. Under certain conditions, conducting flights is literally impossible.

The team quickly gets to work. Equipment needs to be unloaded, antennas set up, and the UAV prepared for operation. This is a large fixed-wing drone designed for long-distance observation.

"The enemy has significantly intensified and has been trying for five days to dislodge our forces from their positions. However, they have not succeeded, as we are effectively repelling these attacks," reports the crew commander with the call sign "Zvonar."

Commander "Zvonar"

The main task of the crew is to identify enemy troop concentrations, enemy equipment, and high-priority targets of the Russian army. The crew also adjusts fire on discovered targets for other units.

"We discovered and subsequently destroyed an enemy S-400 complex located north of the city of Kursk. This is a strategic-level air defense system. Recently, the 'Pole-21' electronic warfare station was destroyed. A high-priority target, the 'ZooPark' radar, was also eliminated. And we successfully disposed of the newest reactive salvo system for remote mining, 'Zemledelie.' It recently paraded on Red Square, and we successfully neutralized it in the Kursk direction," says "Zvonar."

While the guys are setting up their portable base, I observe the landscapes. However, beyond the horizon, the picture is quite unpleasant—fighters say that the Russians are already positioned there.

In the crew's vehicle, there's a real mini-office, filled with equipment and monitors, which will later display images from the drone's camera. Soon, a message comes in about a detected target, and everyone prepares to work.

"Using electronic reconnaissance means, we detected the operation of air defense, and we need to locate them and guide a strike," says a fighter with the call sign "Alph."

The military reports that the Russians are storming this area every day. Movements of enemy armored columns are constantly being recorded.

All preparation stages are complete. The "little plane" is set up on the runway. The components on the wings move sequentially, followed by a piercing sound. The aircraft is ready for takeoff. The pilot communicates readiness over the radio and awaits takeoff clearance from the commander.

Within minutes, the clearance comes through the radio, the pilot takes the controls, and launches the drone. A light hum is heard as the UAV quickly ascends into the sky, seemingly dissolving into the clouds. Now the main work will take place in the mobile mini-office. Initially, the screen shows only heaps of clouds, but eventually, the settlements in the Kursk region under Russian control begin to appear. Near a forest strip, we spot an object and approach it.

"The supercam is down," comments "Zvonar."

This Russian drone has already been destroyed by adjacent forces, so it no longer interests our crew. Meanwhile, "Zvonar's" UAV continues its mission. Hangars and rural buildings come into view below. Every corner must be carefully inspected to avoid missing any equipment or personnel.

"Look here. This is a jeep with electronic warfare equipment on top. We can destroy this," says the crew commander.

The screen shows the movement of Russian forces. The fighters quickly relay the coordinates to another crew for target elimination. Subsequently, we notice the movement of several more vehicles, one of which is a truck, so the pilots try to get closer and find out what the Russians are transporting. This is – another target.

"Thanks to such aircraft, we have managed to destroy over 20 enemy electronic warfare systems, such as 'Borisoglebsk,' R-330 'Zhitiel,' and among the rare ones—'Krasukha-4,'" lists the commander.

The fighters do not hide that what they enjoy most about their work is seeing the enemy burn. After they have done extensive analysis and searching and coordinated with adjacent units.

"The best end result of our work is a burning enemy," says "Zvonar."