EW School “SPECTRE”
Here they conquer radio waves
Electronic Warfare (EW — radio-electronic warfare) is not just equipment that jams enemy communications, GPS, or guidance systems. It’s people — specialists who can prepare, repair, and operate that equipment under real service conditions. When EW is employed effectively, Ukrainian forces reduce personnel and equipment losses, while the enemy loses the ability to observe and coordinate its actions.
To train such specialists, the “Come Back Alive” Foundation, together with the 155th Training Centre of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, created — and continue to develop — the SPECTRE EW School.
Until a few years ago, Ukraine lacked a systematic training program for specialists who could not only operate EW systems but also install them on different types of vehicles. The Armed Forces were short of such personnel, and their work directly affects the safety of both units and civilians in frontline regions.
Today, the SPECTRE School is the only institution in Ukraine that trains specialists under the military occupational specialty VOS 786 (technician for the repair and installation of EW equipment on armored, cargo, and light vehicles). In addition, the school trains close-range EW operators — those who work with personal, trench, and vehicle-mounted systems. It is also one of the few schools in the country that teaches operators to handle systems capable of suppressing signals over several kilometers. Upon completion of their courses, all cadets receive military specialties VOS 545 or 786 and immediately join combat units.
The mission of “Come Back Alive” is to ensure proper living and learning conditions at the school. To achieve this, we:
- provide communication and training equipment;
- supply vehicles for field training;
- equip living and common areas (laundries, showers, a sports complex, etc.);
- build shelters;
- equip a workshop where cadets learn to repair ELINT and EW equipment.
Training area
Training area
Living space
Part of the transferred vehicles
Dining facility
Showers
Laundry room and restroom
One of the school’s key strengths is its instructor corps. Each instructor has completed subject-matter training, non-commissioned officer and leadership courses, and manufacturer-led instruction on the equipment. Moreover, every instructor has current combat experience from the war in which Russia attacked Ukraine.
Since the beginning of 2025, more than a thousand servicemen and servicewomen from various branches have gained new knowledge and skills at the SPECTRE School. Courses range in duration from six days to four weeks. Each month, the school graduates about 170 specialists — both newcomers who join after basic tactical training and experienced operators upgrading their qualifications.
The development of the SPECTRE EW School strengthens the combat capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Trained specialists ensure that EW systems function effectively in any environment — from the front lines to major cities — protecting military personnel and civilians from enemy drones and reconnaissance. This is an investment not only in equipment but also in the people who make the skies over Ukraine safer.
Currently, the largest contribution to the development of the EW School has been made by the Astarta company — 12,431,278 UAH. With these funds, the school has built a dining facility and two shelters.
