Russians Began to Provide Cover for Zemledeliye Using GAZ-66 Vehicles with Cage Armor and Electronic Warfare Equipment

The Russian invasion forces began to use separate electronic warfare vehicles to provide cover for Zemledeliye-type remote mining engineering systems.

The corresponding configuration was recorded in the units of the 45th separate engineering brigade of the “West” troop grouping, according to Russian media reports, in particular, the news was noted in the propaganda Telegram channel “Osvedomitel”.

This involves the use of GAZ-66 (“Shishiga”) trucks equipped with electronic warfare devices to protect engineering vehicles during operation.

Photos of this equipment were published by Russian propaganda resources and were probably taken during field exercises.

In addition to the main electronic warfare equipment, the truck has additional modules on the roof designed to counter drones in a mobile position.

The use of anti-drone nets to protect the cabin and key elements of the vehicle has also been recorded.

Given the level of equipment, this “EBW truck” does not look like a completely improvised solution, but there is currently no information about the serial production of such vehicles.

The appearance of a separate electronic warfare escort for the Zemledeliye indicates the high vulnerability of these systems to drone attacks.

Zemledeliye

Zemledeliye is a modern Russian remote mining engineering vehicle designed for the rapid creation of minefields in particularly dangerous areas. The system was developed by the A. N. Ganichev SPLAV Scientific and Production Association.

The machine is designed for the rapid creation of minefields in particularly dangerous areas at a distance of 5 to 15 km. It fires rockets that ensure the installation of mines in a specified area. It is possible to lay minefields of any complexity, including passages for friendly troops.

At the same time, even such cover does not provide complete protection against fiber optic FPV drones, against which classic electronic warfare means are ineffective.

The Zemledeliye remote mining engineering system is designed to create minefields at a distance of 5 to 15 km.

The system is equipped with two launchers with 25 guides for 122 mm ammunition and is a relatively new development by the Russian Federation, first presented in 2020, with further plans to expand its functions.

As a reminder, the Ukrainian Defense Forces recently destroyed a Russian Zemledeliye remote mining system near occupied Horlivka.