As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter, the country’s power grid operator is taking proactive steps to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity, even in the face of potential Russian electronic warfare attacks. In a covert operation assisted by US officials, Ukraine has acquired custom-built equipment designed to withstand such threats, offering a glimmer of hope during these challenging times.
Engineers at the renowned US tech company Cisco embarked on an arduous journey, spending weeks meticulously crafting and rigorously testing this cutting-edge equipment in their Austin, Texas laboratory. After successfully developing and validating the technology, a prototype was discreetly transported to Ukraine with the assistance of a US Air Force plane dedicated to humanitarian aid, as confirmed by Cisco.
Upon arrival in Ukraine, the state-owned grid operator, Ukrenergo, conducted secretive trials of the innovative equipment, ensuring its resilience against Russian attacks on GPS systems. Subsequently, Cisco shipped numerous units of this pizza box-sized hardware, collectively valued at an estimated $1 million, to Ukraine. These devices have since been strategically deployed across the country, as revealed by Ukrenergo executives in an exclusive interview with CNN.
This groundbreaking equipment, which has remained undisclosed until now, could serve as a lifeline for Ukraine’s electricity grid—a prime target of Russian assaults as the conflict with the Kremlin enters its second brutal winter. Over the past two years, relentless Russian missile and drone strikes have inflicted substantial damage, resulting in the destruction of approximately 40% of Ukrenergo’s power substations and related infrastructure.
In a recent revelation, experts from the United States have disclosed a rare cyberattack linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, which led to a power outage in Ukraine in October 2022.
Amid mounting concerns, Illia Vitiuk, Head of Cybersecurity for the Ukrainian Security Service SBU, anticipates continued Russian hacking attempts on power plants, especially during the impending winter months.
The specific issue addressed by Cisco’s innovative technology is the interference caused by Russian radio-jammers, disrupting the GPS systems upon which Ukrenergo relies for the efficient management of power distribution in Ukraine.
This covert operation, shared with CNN by sources within Cisco, Ukraine, and the US government, exemplifies the Biden administration’s approach of leveraging the expertise of American corporations to support Ukraine while avoiding direct confrontations with Russia. SpaceX has provided essential satellite coverage for the Ukrainian military, while Microsoft facilitated the relocation of significant Ukrainian government data centers outside the country before the invasion.
Additionally, the CEO of Denver-based data analytics firm Palantir has acknowledged the extensive use of the company’s software by the Ukrainian military for targeting purposes within Ukraine.
Multiple US agencies played integral but low-profile roles in facilitating the delivery of Cisco’s equipment to Ukraine. The Pentagon coordinated the transportation logistics, the Department of Energy facilitated the equipment’s delivery, and, according to Ukrenergo, the Department of Commerce organized crucial meetings earlier this year between US tech executives and Ukrenergo managers seeking innovative solutions to safeguard their grid against Russian threats.
During one such meeting, held over a sumptuous steak dinner near Stanford University in February, Ukrenergo executives exchanged experiences and challenges with their counterparts at Cisco, a company with a significant history of business in Ukraine.
The predicament faced by Ukraine’s grid operators revolved around constant GPS interference, which both Russian and Ukrainian militaries employed to disrupt guided missiles. However, this jamming was inadvertently affecting the visibility of Ukraine’s power grid operators. These professionals relied on GPS-based clocks to transmit critical information about power flow from one location to another—a predicament that is now being addressed through the innovative Cisco technology.
In an era where technology plays a pivotal role in geopolitical conflicts, Ukraine’s proactive measures and collaborations with US corporations offer a glimpse of hope as the nation seeks to secure its vital energy infrastructure and maintain essential services during the challenging winter months ahead.