Ukraine’s Lima EW System Knocks Dozens of Russian Missiles Off Course

The Lima Electronic Warfare System

According to ХВИЛЯ: Ukraine is actively deploying its own electronic warfare (EW) system, known as Lima, to counter Russian drones and missiles. This system can jam and spoof satellite navigation signals, effectively diverting enemy weapons from their intended targets. Lima was developed by Cascade Systems, a Ukrainian startup registered in the United States. Depending on the version, a single unit can cost up to three million hryvnias (approximately 58,000 euros).

To date, Cascade Systems has delivered over 400 Lima units. The first versions emerged in 2022, initially designed to counter Russian cruise missiles. By July 2024, military forces began using them on the front lines, and since October 2025, Lima has been employed to protect civilian infrastructure. Over the past 18 months, the system has jammed 20,500 Shahed drones and diverted dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles from their paths.

System Effectiveness and Financial Considerations

When satellite signals are blocked, the accuracy of Russian long-range weapons drops by about two kilometers for every 100 kilometers of flight. Covering a large city requires between 30 and 100 Lima units, costing roughly five million euros-an amount comparable to the price of a single Patriot PAC-3 missile.

Even if a guided bomb misses its target by about 20 meters, that means the target continues to exist.

Maksym Skoretskyi, head of the EW department of Ukraine’s Ground Forces

Developing the Lima system required substantial financial investment. Cascade Systems spent over two million dollars of its own funds on development, and the company only began receiving government contracts late last year. In response to improvements in Russian technology-particularly the emergence of new Kometa antennas-engineers created an upgraded version called Lima Quant, designed to bypass enhanced Russian defenses.

When Lima is active, the missile’s deviation becomes even greater. Beyond simple navigation suppression, we use spoofing to shift coordinates by several kilometers.

Alchemist, Lima developer and commander of the Night Watch EW unit

In this way, the Lima EW system plays a critical role in countering Russian aggression, helping protect Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

The Lima electronic warfare system has become a key component of Ukraine’s defense, especially in modern conflicts where technology plays a decisive role. Its deployment and continuous improvement highlight how Ukrainian forces are actively adapting to emerging threats on the battlefield. The financial side is also significant-the system’s cost and widespread adoption require considerable resources, underscoring the need for continued international support for Ukraine in this field.

As the conflict evolves, innovative tactics are being employed on both sides. For instance, Ukrainian border guards are effectively neutralizing drones at night using an Xbox controller, showcasing the increasing integration of technology in modern warfare. This highlights the broader efforts within Ukraine to enhance defense capabilities amidst ongoing challenges. For more details on this unique approach, check out how Ukrainian forces are utilizing gaming technology to combat aerial threats.